Carcinosarcomas: tumors in transition?

摘要: Carcinosarcomas are rare, biphasic tumors that comprised of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. While the exact mechanism by which these two phenotypes arise within a single tumor remains unclear, molecular evidence indicates epitheliod spindle-cell components share clonal origin. We propose nature neoplasms may represent an extreme case epithelial plasticity, in epithelial-like cell undergoes transition to more mesenchymal phenotype. The present review will discuss both histological biological involvement plasticity driving mixed observed carcinosarcomas.