Polypoid spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Rare histologic variants of esophageal cancer account for about 5% of cases. As its name suggests, polypoid spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus (carcinosarcoma, pseudosarcoma) is comprised of both epithelial and spindle cell elements. The nomenclature reflects both the historical controversy over the lesion's cell of origin as well as its characteristic fungating intraluminal growth pattern. The authors report a case of polypoid spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus that was preoperatively diagnosed as a visceral sarcoma.