Carcinosarcoma of the larynx.Case report with metastases of epidermoid and sarcomatous elements

Carcinosarcoma is a rare, controversial lesion reported in many organs including the larynx. This report describes an example of such a mixed tumor with metastases by both the sarcoma and the carcinoma from a laryngeal primary. Death resulted from progressive airway obstruction by recurrent polypoid sarcoma in the tracheal remnant 8 months after radiation and laryngectomy. Examination of the sarcomatous metastases with the electron microscope revealed large numbers of collagen fibers dispersed in a variety of directions immediately external to the plasma membrane of the tumor cells. An occasional malignant cell or group of cells was also surrounded by basal laminar material. One plasma membrane specialization similar to a junctional complex was present.