melphalan and Carcinosarcoma

A case of primary malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT) of the ovary arising de novo in a post-menopausal multiparous female is reported. The tumor contained heterologous elements in the form of cartilage and fat in addition to carcinosarcomatous areas. Post-operatively, single-agent chemotherapy was administered and up to the time of reporting the patient has been alive and well. Because of the rarity of these tumors the proper treatment remains a dilemma. The differential diagnosis of MMMT of ovary and teratocarcinoma is considered, as the two are confused frequently.

Topics: Carcinosarcoma; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Melphalan; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Ovarian Neoplasms; Teratoma

The case of a 74-year-old female with an IgD kappa plasma cell leukemia is presented. In contrast to the majority of the cases in the literature, this patient responded rather well to melphalan and prednisolone and survived for 20 months after starting treatment. Another remarkable feature was the simultaneous occurrence of a double uterine neoplasm, a malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the homologous variety (also called carcinosarcoma).

Topics: Adnexa Uteri; Aged; Allopurinol; Ampicillin; Carcinosarcoma; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Hysterectomy; Immunoglobulin D; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; Leukemia, Plasma Cell; Melphalan; Pneumonia; Prednisolone; Uterine Neoplasms

Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinosarcoma; Female; Humans; Mastectomy; Melphalan; Neoplasm Metastasis; Toxins, Biological