ABSTRACT
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a heterogeneous, poorly differentiated non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) showing sarcomatous or sarcomatoid morphology with giant and/or spindle cells. PSC is a relatively large, soft/fleshy, or firm/hard/rubbery mass of 2-17 cm with central or peripheral location in the upper lobes of the lung and frequent invasion of the pleural and/or chest wall. PSC is thought to evolve from the embryonic rest, proliferation of malignant epithelium and mesenchyme, stromal induction/metaplasia or a single stem cell. Molecular abnormalities relating to the pathogenesis of PSC include overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein, a high level of polysomy and KRAS mutations. PSC is an uncommon neoplasm, accounting for about 1.3" of all lung malignancies. The tumor is four to seven times more commonly seen in men than in women, with a mean age of 65 years at diagnosis.
