Recurrent Parotid Carcinosarcoma in an Asymptomatic Patient.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Joshua Mansour, Medical University of South Carolina; Abhishek Mangaonkar, Mayo Clinic; Vamsi Kota, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-10-01
• Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US): Creative Commons Attribution
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: 2017-01-24
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2324709616676590
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
• ISSN: 2324-7096
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 4
• Keywords: oncology; head and neck cancer; rare tumor; radiotherapy
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Radiology

Abstract

In this article, we present the case of a 52-year-old male with a history of parotid carcinosarcoma with initial diagnosis being 18 months prior. Initial treatment included a combination of gamma knife surgery coupled with high dosage chemotherapy and X-ray radiation therapy. At the time of follow-up, the patient presented with no complaints and had a nearly normal physical exam with the exception of some facial nerve weakness on the same side as the initial surgery. Despite being asymptomatic, the patient had a significant progression of disease that was manifested with intracranial lesions, multiple pathologic fractures, and a dramatic increase in overall tumor burden. Ultimately, the patient decided to pursue comfort measures only and succumbed to the disease peacefully soon thereafter.