[Carcinosarcoma of the larynx: immunohistochemical study, clinical considerations, therapeutic strategies]

Carcinosarcoma is a rare laryngeal neoplasm accounting for less than 1% of all malignancies involving this organ. Given its double epithelial, mesenchymal nature, this neoplasm is described in the literature in many ways: sarcomatoid carcinoma, variants of squamous cell carcinoma with fused cells, pseudoscarcoma, pleumorphous carcinoma, polypoid carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma. Although not invalidating, cytokeratin positive immunohistochemistry is fundamental for diagnosis. Given the different histopathological pictures, the rareness and heterogeneous natural history of such tumors, it is not surprising there is as yet no agreement as to the treatment of choice. An accurate analysis of the literature indicates that both the therapeutic approach and prognosis are the same as those found for normal squamous cell carcinoma. The authors describe a case of laryngeal carcinosarcoma, analyzing the clinical-therapeutic aspects, histopathological features and immunohistochemistry of this rare neoplasm.