National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Ovarian carcinosarcoma


Other Names:
Malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary; Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary; MMMT of the ovary; Malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary; Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary; MMMT of the ovary; Ovarian malignant mixed Müllerian tumor; Ovarian malignant mixed epithelial mesenchymal tumor See More
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Ovarian carcinosarcoma, also known as a malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) of the ovary, is a rare, aggressive cancer of the ovary with characteristics of two types of cancer: carcinoma and sarcoma.[1] Because women with this cancer often have no symptoms, more than half of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage.[2] When present, symptoms may include pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, bloating or swelling of the abdomen, quickly feeling full when eating, or other digestive problems. The cause of ovarian carcinosarcoma is not yet understood.[2] Treatment usually consists of surgery to remove the tumor and chemotherapy.[1] The chance of recovery and long-term survival (prognosis) is poor, with a reported 5-year survival rate of about 28%.[2]
Last updated: 10/18/2017
Ovarian carcinosarcoma is not thought to be due to an inherited gene mutation.[1]  We are aware of one report of a woman with a BRCA2 gene mutation who developed ovarian carcinosarcoma.[3] However, to our knowledge, this cancer typically occurs in women with no family history of ovarian carcinoma or a hereditary cancer syndrome.
Last updated: 10/18/2017
Because ovarian carcinosarcoma is rare, there are no established treatment guidelines.  Treatment decisions are based on the unique features of each individual's diagnosis.[1]  The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a group of physicians and researchers who strive to improve cancer care, recommends that women with ovarian carcinosarcoma be treated similarly to women with ovarian carcinoma (also called epithelial ovarian cancer), which is the most common type of ovarian cancer.[4]

Currently, treatment for ovarian carcinosarcoma usually begins with surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible.  Chemotherapy may be used to destroy any cancer cells that could be in the body after surgery.  Medications that contain platinum (such as cisplatin or carboplatin) seem to be the most effective chemotherapies for ovarian carcinosarcoma.  Recent evidence suggests that another medication called ifosfamide may increase the effectiveness of treatment when used in combination with platinum-based medications.[1][4]
Last updated: 7/6/2017

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Ovarian carcinosarcoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN Foundation) has Assistance Programs for those with health insurance who reside in the United States. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available. 

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Ovarian carcinosarcoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • Is ovarian carcinosarcoma typically hereditary?  My mother was recently diagnosed with this type of cancer.  I'm wondering if ovarian carcinosarcoma with a primary sarcoma component is typically seen in genetic conditions. See answer

  • I am looking for recent information on ovarian carcinosarcoma and the chemotherapy regime that is most effective for treating this. See answer


  1. del Carmen MG, Birrer M, Schorge JO. Carcinosarcoma of the ovary: a review of the literature. Gynecologic Oncology. 2012; 125:271-277. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22155675.
  2. Kim HJ, Lee HM, Kim MK, Lee YK, Lee IH, Lee KH, Kim H. Prognostic assessment of sarcomatous histologic subtypes of ovarian carcinosarcoma. Obstet Gynecol Sci. July, 2017; 60(4):350-356. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5547082/.
  3. Sonoda Y, Saigo PE, Federici MG, Boyd J. Carcinosarcoma of the ovary in a patient with a germline BRCA2 mutation: evidence for monoclonal origin. Gynecologic Oncology. 2000; 76:226-229. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10637076. Accessed 3/27/2013.
  4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Ovarian Cancer. NCCN Guidelines for Patients. 2017; https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/ovarian/index.html.