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Current Treatment Options in Oncology
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology 12/2023

Open Access 08-11-2023 | Ovarian Cancer

Frontiers of Ovarian Carcinosarcoma

Authors: Ayden Ismail, BSc, Sunyoung Choi, MBBS, BSc, Stergios Boussios, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCP

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology | Issue 12/2023

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Opinion statement

Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS), also known as a malignant mixed Müllerian tumour (MMMT), is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that accounts for less than 5% of ovarian cancers. It is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, with a median overall survival (OS) of less than 2 years. Several factors, including advancing age, nulliparity, reduced lactation rates, decreased use of oral contraceptive pills, genetic mutations in BRCA (breast cancer) genes, and the use of assisted reproductive technology, may increase the risk of OCS. Poor prognostic factors include an advanced stage at diagnosis, older age, lymph node metastasis, suboptimal surgical cytoreduction, the presence of heterologous features on histopathology, and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumour protein p53, and p53 alongside Wilms tumour 1 (WT1). The main treatment approach for OCS is cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, although immunotherapy is showing promise. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing may enhance outcomes by enabling personalized immunotherapy and targeted therapies for specific patient groups, thereby reducing unnecessary side effects and healthcare costs. However, there is currently a lack of standardised treatment regimens for OCS patients, with most studies consisting of case reports and a shortage of suitable comparator groups. This article aims to provide clinicians with information on the epidemiology, risk factors, prognostic factors, and latest therapeutic advancements in OCS.
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Metadata
Title
Frontiers of Ovarian Carcinosarcoma
Authors
Ayden Ismail, BSc
Sunyoung Choi, MBBS, BSc
Stergios Boussios, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCP
Publication date
08-11-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Treatment Options in Oncology / Issue 12/2023
Print ISSN: 1527-2729
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6277
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-023-01138-4

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