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Living with Ovarian carcinosarcoma

A rare, aggressive ovarian cancer with features of two cancer types that is often found at an advanced stage.

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Understanding Ovarian carcinosarcoma

Ovarian carcinosarcoma is a rare, aggressive ovarian cancer with features of two types of cancer: carcinoma and sarcoma.

It is also called malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary. Because many women have no symptoms, more than half are diagnosed at an advanced stage. When symptoms occur, they may include belly or pelvic pain, bloating, feeling full quickly, or other digestive problems. GARD lists adult as the usual onset.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary, and many people have none. GARD says they may include:

  • Pain in the belly or pelvis
  • Bloating or swelling of the belly
  • Feeling full quickly when eating
  • Other digestive problems

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, gynecologic cancer specialists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, Foundation for Women's Cancer and The Gynecological Carcinosarcoma Project may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Cancer specialists (oncologists); Gynecologic cancer specialists (gynecologic oncologists); Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, Foundation for Women's Cancer, The Gynecological Carcinosarcoma Project
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for treatment?
What treatment options are available for this type?
Are there clinical trials I could consider?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult

GARD says the cause of ovarian carcinosarcoma is not yet understood.

Urinary and Reproductive

Also known as: carcinosarcoma of ovary; carcinosarcoma of the ovary; malignant mixed mesodermal mullerian neoplasm of ovary; malignant mixed mesodermal mullerian neoplasm of the ovary; malignant mixed mesodermal mullerian tumor of ovary; malignant mixed mesodermal mullerian tumor of the ovary

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Ovarian carcinosarcomaGARD ID 7296 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

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Explore research for Ovarian carcinosarcoma

Explore actively recruiting Ovarian carcinosarcoma studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Ovarian carcinosarcoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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