Carcinosarcoma of the parotid gland with abdominal metastasis: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Carcinosarcoma of the salivary gland is a rare aggressive malignant tumor, composed of a mixture of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The most common metastatic sites include the lungs, bones, and central nervous system. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes a rare case of carcinosarcoma of the parotid gland with an osteosarcoma as sarcomatous component in a 72-year-old man who had a history of low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Six months after parotidectomy, he presented abdominal pain as a symptom of abdominal metastasis by the sarcomatous component. At that time, the possibility of abdominal metastasis was overlooked because of the history of abdominal surgery. After several days of conservative treatment, emergency laparotomy was done. However, he died of acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the possibility of abdominal metastasis by salivary carcinosarcoma may help in managing patients with a history of abdominal surgery.