OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma.

METHODSThe clinical, pathological and follow-up data of 12 cases of ovarian carcinosarcoma treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from May, 2002 to May, 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe 12 patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma had a median age of 55 years at diagnosis, among whom 10 were postmenopausal women. The patients sought medical attention for such symptoms as pelvic and/or abdominal pain, abdominal distention and ascites. Ten patients showed elevated serum CA125 level ad admission, and postoperative chemotherapy resulted in lowered CA125 level within normal range in 7 of them; in 8 cases, CA125 level increased with disease recurrence. Pelvic mass was found by such imaging examinations as CT, MRI and ultrasound in all cases. A definite diagnosis was obtained by postoperative pathological examination. All the patients received surgical resection and platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients achieved disease-free survival after the treatment. Disease relapse occurred in 10 cases within 2 years after surgery, among whom 2 showed disease remission after a secondary surgery and/or chemotherapy, and 1 was receiving chemotherapy; death occurred in 5 cases, and 2 cases were lost to the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSOvarian carcinosarcoma has a poor prognosis. Primary surgery and platinum-based postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is the main treatment for ovarian carcinosarcoma. The prognosis of ovarian carcinosarcoma is associated with the residual disease after surgery. The patients with disease recurrence may obtain remission and survival through a secondary surgery and/or chemotherapy. Serum CA125 can be used as a marker for monitoring the chemotherapeutic effect in clinical observation and follow-up visits.