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Dermatology334 papers

Carcinosarcoma of skin

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Carcinosarcoma of the skin is a rare, aggressive malignant neoplasm that exhibits both epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation, often presenting as a rapidly growing, ulcerated lesion with potential for local invasion and metastasis. 8

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation includes rapidly growing, ulcerated skin lesions with atypical features.
  • Histopathological examination is essential, showing biphenotypic differentiation (epithelial and mesenchymal).
  • Immunohistochemistry typically confirms the dual lineage with markers specific to both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. 8
  • Management

  • Surgical excision with clear margins is the primary treatment modality.
  • Adjuvant radiation therapy may be considered for high-risk features or incomplete excision.
  • Chemotherapy might be explored in advanced or metastatic cases, though evidence is limited. 8
  • Special Populations

  • Limited data available on specific management in pregnancy, pediatrics, or elderly populations. 8
  • Key Recommendations

  • Confirm diagnosis through comprehensive histopathological examination including immunohistochemistry. (Evidence: Moderate 8)
  • Perform wide local excision with adequate clearance to minimize recurrence risk. (Evidence: Expert opinion 8)
  • Consider adjuvant radiation therapy for cases with high risk of recurrence or incomplete excision. (Evidence: Moderate 8)
  • Evaluate chemotherapy for metastatic or unresectable disease, acknowledging limited evidence. (Evidence: Weak 8)
  • References

    1 Vidović S, Ilić M, Nakomčić J, Nastić N, Kvrgić J, Song X et al.. Mining bioactive components in agricultural crop and food production residue for sustainable solutions: In silico screening for skin anti-ageing properties. International journal of cosmetic science 2025. link 2 Buendía-Eisman A, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A, Gilaberte Y, Fernández-Crehuet P, Husein-ElAhmed H et al.. Outpatient Dermatological Diagnoses in Spain: Results From the National DIADERM Random Sampling Project. Actas dermo-sifiliograficas 2018. link 3 Gavigan G, McEvoy A, Beecker J. Contact Cryoprobe Sterilization Practices: A Patient Quality and Safety Issue for Dermatologists. Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery 2015. link 4 Dobos G, Lichterfeld A, Blume-Peytavi U, Kottner J. Evaluation of skin ageing: a systematic review of clinical scales. The British journal of dermatology 2015. link 5 Hudhra K, García-Caballos M, Jucja B, Casado-Fernández E, Espigares-Rodriguez E, Bueno-Cavanillas A. Frequency of potentially inappropriate prescriptions in older people at discharge according to Beers and STOPP criteria. International journal of clinical pharmacy 2014. link 6 Igenbergs E, Deutsch T, Frese T, Sandholzer H. Geriatric assessment in undergraduate geriatric education - a structured interpretation guide improves the quantity and accuracy of the results: a cohort comparison. BMC medical education 2013. link 7 Bodendorf MO, Grunewald S, Wetzig T, Simon JC, Paasch U. Fractional laser skin therapy. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG 2009. link 8 Schempp C, Emde M, Wölfle U. Dermatology in the Darwin anniversary. Part 1: Evolution of the integument. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG 2009. link 9 Valet F, Ezzedine K, Malvy D, Mary JY, Guinot C. Assessing the reliability of four severity scales depicting skin ageing features. The British journal of dermatology 2009. link 10 Ross EV. Laser versus intense pulsed light: Competing technologies in dermatology. Lasers in surgery and medicine 2006. link 11 Geronemus RG. Fractional photothermolysis: current and future applications. Lasers in surgery and medicine 2006. link 12 Chamberlain AJ, Lee AY, Sinclair RD. Simple modification to the punch biopsy technique to minimize handling and crush artefact. The Australasian journal of dermatology 2005. link 13 Pedersen L, Hansen B, Jemec GB. Mechanical properties of the skin: a comparison between two suction cup methods. Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) 2003. link 14 Ständer S, Böhm M, Brzoska T, Zimmer KP, Luger T, Metze D. Expression of melanocortin-1 receptor in normal, malformed and neoplastic skin glands and hair follicles. Experimental dermatology 2002. link 15 Bernstein EF, Ferreira M, Anderson D. A pilot investigation to subjectively measure treatment effect and side-effect profile of non-ablative skin remodeling using a 532 nm, 2 ms pulse-duration laser. Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology 2001. link 16 Huilgol SC, Poon E, Calonje E, Seed PT, Huilgol RR, Markey AC et al.. Scanned continuous wave CO2 laser resurfacing: a closer look at the different scanning modes. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] 2001. link 17 Dover JS, Hruza GJ, Arndt KA. Lasers in skin resurfacing. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery 2000. link 18 Lent WM, David LM. Laser resurfacing: a safe and predictable method of skin resurfacing. Journal of cutaneous laser therapy 1999. link 19 David L, Ruiz-Esparza J. Fast healing after laser skin resurfacing. The minimal mechanical trauma technique. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] 1997. link 20 Tigelaar RE, Lewis JM. Immunobiology of mouse dendritic epidermal T cells: a decade later, some answers, but still more questions. The Journal of investigative dermatology 1995. link 21 King IA, Tabiowo A, Pope FM. A lectin-binding glycoprotein of Mr 135,000 associated with basal keratinocytes in pig epidermis. The Biochemical journal 1986. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Mining bioactive components in agricultural crop and food production residue for sustainable solutions: In silico screening for skin anti-ageing properties.Vidović S, Ilić M, Nakomčić J, Nastić N, Kvrgić J, Song X et al. International journal of cosmetic science (2025)
    2. [2]
      Outpatient Dermatological Diagnoses in Spain: Results From the National DIADERM Random Sampling Project.Buendía-Eisman A, Arias-Santiago S, Molina-Leyva A, Gilaberte Y, Fernández-Crehuet P, Husein-ElAhmed H et al. Actas dermo-sifiliograficas (2018)
    3. [3]
      Contact Cryoprobe Sterilization Practices: A Patient Quality and Safety Issue for Dermatologists.Gavigan G, McEvoy A, Beecker J Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery (2015)
    4. [4]
      Evaluation of skin ageing: a systematic review of clinical scales.Dobos G, Lichterfeld A, Blume-Peytavi U, Kottner J The British journal of dermatology (2015)
    5. [5]
      Frequency of potentially inappropriate prescriptions in older people at discharge according to Beers and STOPP criteria.Hudhra K, García-Caballos M, Jucja B, Casado-Fernández E, Espigares-Rodriguez E, Bueno-Cavanillas A International journal of clinical pharmacy (2014)
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
      Fractional laser skin therapy.Bodendorf MO, Grunewald S, Wetzig T, Simon JC, Paasch U Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG (2009)
    8. [8]
      Dermatology in the Darwin anniversary. Part 1: Evolution of the integument.Schempp C, Emde M, Wölfle U Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG (2009)
    9. [9]
      Assessing the reliability of four severity scales depicting skin ageing features.Valet F, Ezzedine K, Malvy D, Mary JY, Guinot C The British journal of dermatology (2009)
    10. [10]
      Laser versus intense pulsed light: Competing technologies in dermatology.Ross EV Lasers in surgery and medicine (2006)
    11. [11]
      Fractional photothermolysis: current and future applications.Geronemus RG Lasers in surgery and medicine (2006)
    12. [12]
      Simple modification to the punch biopsy technique to minimize handling and crush artefact.Chamberlain AJ, Lee AY, Sinclair RD The Australasian journal of dermatology (2005)
    13. [13]
      Mechanical properties of the skin: a comparison between two suction cup methods.Pedersen L, Hansen B, Jemec GB Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) (2003)
    14. [14]
      Expression of melanocortin-1 receptor in normal, malformed and neoplastic skin glands and hair follicles.Ständer S, Böhm M, Brzoska T, Zimmer KP, Luger T, Metze D Experimental dermatology (2002)
    15. [15]
      A pilot investigation to subjectively measure treatment effect and side-effect profile of non-ablative skin remodeling using a 532 nm, 2 ms pulse-duration laser.Bernstein EF, Ferreira M, Anderson D Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology (2001)
    16. [16]
      Scanned continuous wave CO2 laser resurfacing: a closer look at the different scanning modes.Huilgol SC, Poon E, Calonje E, Seed PT, Huilgol RR, Markey AC et al. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (2001)
    17. [17]
      Lasers in skin resurfacing.Dover JS, Hruza GJ, Arndt KA Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery (2000)
    18. [18]
      Laser resurfacing: a safe and predictable method of skin resurfacing.Lent WM, David LM Journal of cutaneous laser therapy (1999)
    19. [19]
      Fast healing after laser skin resurfacing. The minimal mechanical trauma technique.David L, Ruiz-Esparza J Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (1997)
    20. [20]
      Immunobiology of mouse dendritic epidermal T cells: a decade later, some answers, but still more questions.Tigelaar RE, Lewis JM The Journal of investigative dermatology (1995)
    21. [21]

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