Carcinosarcoma of the lacrimal gland arising from a pleomorphic adenoma.

Purpose: To report a case of the lacrimal gland tumor diagnosed as carcinosarcoma (true mixed tumor) arising from a pleomorphic adenoma.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: An 80-year-old Japanese woman was referred with a well-circumscribed tumor in the lacrimal fossa.

Results: The tumor was excised, but the deepest portion remained because of heavy bleeding. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of osteosarcomatous cells. No epithelial or myoepithelial component was identified by immunohistochemistry. Two months later, the tumor progressed further and was excised completely with lateral orbitotomy. The tumor consisted primarily of osteosarcomatous component but also had epithelial components including carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma. Examinations did not detect local recurrence and metastasis at 10 post-operative months.

Conclusion: The tumor was diagnosed as true carcinosarcoma of the lacrimal gland arising from a pleomorphic adenoma. When lacrimal gland tumors containing sarcomatous components are encountered, carcinosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis.