Acute non-puerperal uterine inversion ascribed to malignant mixed Mullerian tumor of uterus: a rare presentation.

Non-puerperal uterine inversion is an extremely uncommon condition, and its occurrence due to malignant mixed Mullerian tumor (MMMT) of the uterus is quite exceptional. We report one such case of acute non-puerperal uterine inversion ascribed to MMMT in a 77-year-old postmenopausal woman. Such a case poses a diagnostic and management dilemma, and prior knowledge may result in a successful outcome.

Adjuvant Treatment Modalities, Prognostic Factors, and Outcome of the Uterine Carcinosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of adjuvant therapy and other factors associated with the recurrence and survival of patients with uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). METHODS: A total of 102 patients who underwhent surgery for UCS from 1998 to 2017 were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: At 240 months, the actuarial recurrence rate was 34.3%. Distant recurrence was the most common recurrence pattern. Patients with higher CA 125 levels, sarcoma dominance, cervical involvement, advanced stage, no lymphadenectomy, and residual tumour had a significiantly higher risk of recurrence. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 67% and 77%, respectively. FIGO stage was found to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. Sarcoma dominance was independently associated with decreased OS. CONCLUSION: Sarcoma dominance is associated with poor survival in UCS. Adjuvant treatment was not found to affect recurrence or survival. Given this finding, more effective postoperative strategies are needed.

Post-radiation Mullerian adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth: rare presentation of an uncommon malignancy.

Mullerian adenosarcoma is an uncommon biphasic malignant uterine tumor. It is composed of benign epithelial and malignant stromal elements. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with post-menopausal bleeding for three months. She had a significant past medical history of pelvic irradiation for squamous carcinoma of cervix 20 years ago. Pathology revealed adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth. The patient had a recurrence of pure sarcoma three months later and unfortunately succumbed to her disease. The role of radiation in the pathogenesis of adenosarcoma has been uncommonly described compared to its well established role in the development of carcinosarcoma. Our case fulfils the criteria for a radiation induced sarcoma. We review the salient clinical and pathological features of this uncommon lesion highlighting the importance of sarcomatous overgrowth in these lesions and the possible role of radiation in the development of these tumors.

Sarcomatous Component in Uterine Carcinosarcomas Correlates With Advanced Stage and Poorer Prognosis.

Uterine carcinosarcomas, also known as malignant-mixed mullerian tumors, are rare and highly aggressive tumors whose prognostic factors remain controversial. The stage at the time of presentation is the most important prognostic factor thus far, but little information exists on the prognostic impact of the sarcomatous component (SC) in these tumors. We reviewed 21 cases of uterine carcinosarcomas and estimated the volume of the SC in each case. This information was correlated with the stage of the tumor at presentation. The percentage of the SC was also used to stratify the patients into 2 cohorts (high percentage of SC and low percentage of SC), and the 2 patient cohorts were compared based on the available follow-up data to identify prognostic differences. Patients with a lower concentration of SC (<30%) typically presented with low stage of disease when compared with their counterparts. Although not statistically significant (P=0.1966), our data suggest a correlation between a lower concentration of SC with longer follow-up and longer survival rates when compared with those of patients presenting with higher volumes of the SC (≥30%). Greater volume of the SC is seen in advanced stage tumors, which could serve as an indicator of prognosis.

Low grade Mullerian adenosarcoma of pouch of Douglas recurring as bilateral ovarian high grade Mullerian adenosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous overgrowth after 11 years.

Mullerian adenosarcoma (MA) of ovary with sarcomatous (rhabdomyoblastic) overgrowth is an extremely rare malignant type of female genital tract neoplasm. These tumours are highly aggressive and presence of heterologous elements is associated with worse prognosis. A 44 year old female presented with lower abdominal pain and distension. She had history of removal of tumour from pouch of Douglas in 2006 for which she did not receive any additional treatment nor did she keep continuous follow up. Current preoperative radiological examination revealed bilateral ovarian masses. She underwent abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy. Microscopic examination revealed biphasic tumours exhibiting sarcomatous overgrowth with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Review of the previous biopsy revealed low grade Mullerian adenosarcoma without sarcomatous overgrowth. Hence the current tumour was considered recurrent. This report highlights the aggressive nature of MA even with low grade morphological features and emphasizes the importance of continuous follow up and additional treatment.

[Retroperitoneal mixed malignant mullerian tumor : exceptional localisation and prognosis]. / Une tumeur mullérienne mixte maligne rétropéritonéale de localisation et pronostic exceptionnels.

Primary retroperitoneal carcinosarcoma or mixed malignant mullerian tumor (MMMT) is an extremely rare clinical entity. These aggressive tumors arise most commonly from genital tract. The retroperitoneal location is exceptional. Here we report the case of a 63-years old female diagnosed with heterologous, extra-genital, retroperitoneal carcinosarcoma, with malignant cells in the ascitic fluid and extra-ovarian metastatic implants. She was treated with complete radical surgical treatment consisting of resection of the retroperitoneal tumor, with omentectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy and lumbo-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy. She received adjuvant chemotherapy with 6 cycles of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel. She is in complete clinical and radiological remission since the end of chemotherapy, for a total of 113 months. To our knowledge, this is the longest reported disease free survival of the extra-genital retroperitoneal MMMT. This case and the review of the literature illustrate the importance of surgical treatment. However, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the systemic management of these tumors.

Le carcinosarcome rétropéritonéal ou tumeur mullérienne mixte maligne (TMMM) est une entité clinique extrêmement rare. Ce sont des tumeurs agressives du tractus génital provenant des tissus mullériens. Les localisations rétropéritonéale et extra-génitale sont exceptionnelles. Ce cas clinique concerne une patiente de 63 ans atteinte d'un carcinosarcome extra-génital, retropéritonéal, hétérologue associé à des cellules malignes dans le liquide péritonéal et des implants métastatiques extra-ovariens. Elle a bénéficié d'une laparotomie de résection de la masse rétropéritonéale avec hystérectomie, annexectomie bilatérale, omentectomie et lymphadénectomie pelvienne et lombo-aortique, et a reçu une chimiothérapie adjuvante par 6 cycles de Carboplatine et Paclitaxel. Elle est en rémission clinique et radiologique complète depuis la fin de sa chimiothérapie, soit une durée de 113 mois. A notre connaissance, il s'agit de la durée de suivi sans récidive la plus longue rapportée dans la littérature. Ce cas, ainsi que la revue de littérature, mettent en évidence l'importance du traitement chirurgical. Par contre, il n'existe pas de standard thérapeutique pour la prise en charge adjuvante ou systémique de ces tumeurs.

Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumour of the Uterus: Analysis of 44 Cases.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of uterine carcinosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the clinical characteristics of 44 patients with uterine MMMT were evaluated. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with uterine carcinosarcoma were referred to our unit between 1995 and 2015. Their median age was 66.5 years. All women underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Twenty-five percent had omental resection. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 18.2% of the cases. Twenty-six of the patients presented with stage I/II disease, 17 with advanced stages. In 20.5% of the cases there were metastases at diagnosis. Forty women received adjuvant chemotherapy, with complete remission in 67.9% of the cases. Recurrences were observed in 27.3% of the women. Disease-free and overall survival was 27 and 103 months, respectively. The FIGO stage, histological type, tumour size, chemotherapy regimen, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and myometrial invasion did not affect survival. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine MMMT is an aggressive tumour, often diagnosed at an advanced stage and with a high rate of metastases or recurrences. Because of its rarity, its management is controversial and fixed prognostic factors cannot be defined.

Involvement of Chromosome 8 in Müllerian Adenosarcoma.

Müllerian adenosarcoma (MA) is an uncommon biphasic neoplasm of the female genital tract, composed of malignant stroma and benign epithelium. Little is known about the molecular and cytogenetic aberrations in MA pathogenesis, including those with progression to sarcomatous overgrowth (SO). Herein, we report all cases of MA in which karyotyping was attempted at our institution. Twenty-one samples from 20 subjects consisted of 15 primary (7 without SO, 8 with SO) and 6 metastatic MA, were cytogenetically investigated in our institution. Karyotypes were successfully obtained in 14/21 (67%) cases and 9 (45%) had cytogenetic aberrations. Two (1 MA with SO and 1 metastatic MA) were markedly complex, displaying extreme aneuploidy with numerous rearrangements. Seven (2 MA without SO, 3 MA with SO, and 2 metastatic MA) demonstrated noncomplex clonal aberrations, of which 5 (71%) included an abnormality involving chromosome 8. Two tumors had rearrangements at 8q13 and another 3 tumors had extra copies of chromosome 8. In 5 cases, a normal karyotype (46,XX) was obtained (2 MA without SO, 2 MA with SO, and 1 metastatic MA). Further study is warranted to explore the genetic mechanism by which chromosome abnormalities, particularly those at 8q13, contribute to MA tumorigenesis.

Interobserver Reproducibility Among Gynecologic Pathologists in Diagnosing Heterologous Osteosarcomatous Component in Gynecologic Tract Carcinosarcomas.

Distinguishing hyalinized stroma from osteoid production by a heterologous osteosarcomatous component can be challenging in gynecologic tract carcinosarcomas. As heterologous components in a carcinosarcoma may have prognostic and therapeutic implications, it is important that these are recognized. This study examines interobserver reproducibility among gynecologic pathologists in the diagnosis of osteosarcomatous components, and its correlation with expression of the novel antibody SATB2 (marker of osteoblastic differentiation) in these osteosarcomatous foci. Digital H&E images from 20 gynecologic tract carcinosarcomas were reviewed by 22 gynecologic pathologists with a request to determine the presence or absence of an osteosarcomatous component. The 20 preselected cases included areas of classic heterologous osteosarcoma (malignant cells producing osteoid; n=10) and osteosarcoma mimics (malignant cells with admixed nonosteoid matrix; n=10). Interobserver agreement was evaluated and SATB2 scored on all 20 cases and compared with the original diagnoses. Moderate agreement (Fleiss' κ=0.483) was identified for the 22 raters scoring the 20 cases with a median sensitivity of 7/10 and a median specificity of 9/10 for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. SATB2 showed 100% sensitivity (10/10) and 60% (6/10) specificity in discriminating classic osteosarcoma from osteosarcoma mimics. Utilizing negative SATB2 as a surrogate marker to exclude osteosarcoma, 73% (16/22) of the reviewers would have downgraded at least 1 case to not contain an osteosarcomatous component (range, 1-6 cases, median 1 case). Gynecologic pathologists demonstrate only a moderate level of agreement in the diagnosis of heterologous osteosarcoma based on morphologic grounds. In such instances, a negative SATB2 staining may assist in increasing accuracy in the diagnosis of an osteosarcomatous component.

Uterine Carcinosarcomas: Clinical, Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics.

Carcinosarcomas (malignant mixed Müllerian tumors or MMMT) are rare malignant tumors in the female genital tract composed of both malignant epithelial and malignant mesenchymal components. They comprise <5% of all neoplasms in the gynecologic tract and have an aggressive clinical course. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immunophenotype and possible histogenesis of carcinosarcomas of the uterus. Sixty-two cases of uterine carcinosarcomas diagnosed between 1995 and 2011 were retrieved from the gynecologic pathology files at Columbia University Medical Center. Representative tissue blocks containing both epithelial and mesenchymal components were selected from each case for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Clinical data from each case were retrieved. The epithelial component was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the majority (80.7%) of cases; in 17.7%, the carcinoma was moderately differentiated, and in only 1.6% the carcinoma was well differentiated. 53% of the tumors had homologous stromal elements and 47% displayed heterologous stromal elements. Immunohistochemical study revealed almost equal staining in both epithelial and mesenchymal components of carcinosarcomas for p16 and p53. PAX8 positivity was noted in 73% of epithelial components, but only 13% of stromal components, and PAX8 stromal positivity was never seen in the absence of PAX8 epithelial positivity. Expression of p16, p53, and PAX8 in both malignant components lends support to the monoclonal theory of uterine carcinosarcoma tumorigenesis. The roles of these tumor markers in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of this tumor and associations between clinical characteristics, tumor pathologic features, and prognosis are discussed.

Target Therapies for Uterine Carcinosarcomas: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Carcinosarcomas (CS) in gynecology are very infrequent and represent only 2-5% of uterine cancers. Despite surgical cytoreduction and subsequent chemotherapy being the primary treatment for uterine CS, the overall five-year survival rate is 30 ± 9% and recurrence is extremely common (50-80%). Due to the poor prognosis of CS, new strategies have been developed in the last few decades, targeting known dysfunctional molecular pathways for immunotherapy. In this paper, we aimed to gather the available evidence on the latest therapies for the treatment of CS. We performed a systematic review using the terms "uterine carcinosarcoma", "uterine Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumors", "target therapies", "angiogenesis therapy", "cancer stem cell therapy", "prognostic biomarker", and "novel antibody-drug". Based on our results, the differential expression and accessibility of epithelial cell adhesion molecule-1 on metastatic/chemotherapy-resistant CS cells in comparison to normal tissues and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) open up new possibilities in the field of target therapy. Nevertheless, future investigations are needed to clarify the impact of these new therapies on survival rate and medium-/long-term outcomes.

[Carcinosarcoma of the endometrium with melanocytic differentiation, case report]. / Karcinosarkom endometria s melanomovou diferenciací, kazuistika.

OBJECTIVE: The case report presents a case of 60-year old woman with a rare malignant mixed Müllerian tumor with melanomatous differentiation diagnosed from a histology after cervical polyp ablation and curettage. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of gynecology and obstetrics, University Hospital in Pilsen. CONCLUSION: Carcinosarcoma, previously malignant mixed Müllerian tumor, is a very rare aggressive endometrial carcinoma with low incidence, which typically occurs among older women and commonly affects the uterine body and cervix. Clinically, the carcinosarcoma is impossible to be distinguished from endometrial carcinoma or uterine sarcoma and the definitive diagnosis can only be made based on histological examination.

GHRH Receptor Expression in Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumors: A Potentially Targetable Biopredictor.

Malignant mixed Müllerian tumors (MMMTs) are aggressive malignant neoplasms with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Despite advances in adjuvant therapies in recent years, the prognosis of these tumors has not improved. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) is produced by a variety of malignant tumors and acts as a growth factor in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Its function requires the presence of its receptors to exert its effects on neoplastic cells. In this study, we evaluated the expression of GHRH receptors (GHRH-R) in a group of MMMTs. Thirty-one examples of MMMTs from endometrium, ovary, uterine tube, and pelvic peritoneum were retrieved from the files of Department of Pathology at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital. Immunohistochemistry for GHRH-R was performed on paraffin sections and the staining results were evaluated separately in both epithelial and mesenchymal components of each tumor. The presence of pituitary type growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor mRNA and that of its biologically active splice variant were also evaluated by RT-PCR in 6 of the tumors. Positive immunohistochemical reaction for GHRH-R was detected in 30 tumors (96%). The epithelial and sarcomatous components were positive in 30 (96%), whereas one endometrial tumor was negative in both components. The mRNA for GHRH-R and its splice variant was found in all 6 tested tumors. This study shows that GHRH-R is expressed by the majority of MMMTs in both epithelial and mesenchymal components. This finding could potentially serve as a basis for therapeutic approaches using synthetic peptide antagonists of GHRH-R that have shown significant efficacy with minimal side effects in experimental models.

Seromucinous Tumors of the Ovary. What's in a Name?

The recent 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours of the Female Reproductive Organs introduced a new category of ovarian neoplasm designated "seromucinous tumours". The recognition of this distinctive group of tumors is an important addition to the classification but the term "seromucinous" has serious flaws that obscures the nature of these neoplasms. Morphologically, seromucinous tumors in addition to serous and endocervical-type mucinous epithelium, contain endometrioid, indifferent and squamous type epithelium. Their immunoprofile is characterized by frequent expression of ER, PR, infrequent expression of WT1 and lack of expression of CK20 and CDX2, an immunostaining pattern consistent with a "müllerian" immunophenotype. Unlike serous and intestinal type mucinous tumors, seromucinous tumors are frequently associated with endometriosis making them more analogous to endometrioid and clear cell neoplasms. Indeed, recent studies have shown that a high proportion of seromucinous tumors lost expression of ARID1A, a tumor suppressor gene, that is mutated in approximately 50% of endometrioid and clear cell tumors, in sharp contrast to serous and intestinal-type mucinous tumors which do not contain ARID1A mutations or lose its expression. Therefore, based on their clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic features we believe a more appropriate designation for this group of tumors is "mixed müllerian tumors" which can be subcategorized as "mixed müllerian cystadenomas", "mixed müllerian atypical proliferative (borderline) tumors" and "mixed müllerian carcinomas".

Outcome and prognosis in uterine sarcoma and malignant mixed Mullerian tumor.

PURPOSE: There is low evidence regarding the optimal treatment in patients with uterine sarcomas and malignant mixed Mullerian tumors (MMMTs). This study provides an overview of experience at our center with patients diagnosed with uterine sarcoma and MMMT, in relation to the clinical management and outcome. METHODS: The medical records for 143 patients with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), and high-grade (undifferentiated) endometrial sarcoma (UES) and MMMT were reviewed. All available clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Putative prognostic factors were entered into a multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards ratio model, and survival data were calculated. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rates were significantly different between patients with ESS, LMS, and UES and MMMT (86 vs. 40 vs. 57 vs. 45 %; P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that the patients' age, higher FIGO stage (III-IV), a history of smoking, prior pelvic radiation, diabetes, and residual tumor after surgery were associated with a poorer overall survival. Histological subtypes of LMS (HR 4.68; 95 % CI 1.35-16.17), UES (HR 1.21; 95 % CI 0.26-5.77) and MMMT (HR 1.63; 95 % CI 0.42-6.43) were also associated with a poorer overall survival than ESS (P = 0.008). Adjuvant therapies showed no associations with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant therapy has so far not shown any overall survival benefit, and the focus is therefore on primary surgery. In future studies, the entities should be investigated separately in relation to prognostic factors and effective therapeutic management.

[Extragenital malignant Müllerian carcinosarcoma with invasion of inferior vena cava - a case report]. / Extragenitální maligní Müllerianský karcinosarkom infiltrující dolní dutou zílu - kazuistika.

UNLABELLED: The authors present the case of a 57-year-old woman with a very rare extragenital malignant retroperitoneal Müllerian carcinosarcoma invading the inferior vena cava. Tumor resection with partial resection of the vena cava wall and resection of metastases in the pelvic area is described. The authors further discuss diagnostic options of metastases of this tumour and the recommended adjuvant chemotherapy. KEY WORDS: extragenital Müllerian carcinosarcoma malignant mixed Müllerian tumour - diagnosis therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging manifestations of ovarian mullerian mixed epithelial borderline tumors: imaging and histologic features in comparison with mullerian mucinous borderline tumors.

We illustrate the magnetic resonance imaging features of 3 cases of rare ovarian Mullerian mixed epithelial borderline tumor (MEBT) and identify important diagnostic clues based on their detailed histologic, morphologic, and clinical features. Mullerian mixed epithelial borderline tumor has good prognosis, and adequate management is essential. In order to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatment, radiologists should become familiar with the imaging findings of MEBT. To the best of our knowledge, no articles have described the detailed images of MEBT.

An audit of histopathology reports of carcinoma endometrium: experience from a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess compliance to reporting minimum data sets in carcinoma endometrium reports, in a team of 13 pathologists, and also to analyze parameters such as. tumor size, type, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node yield, pTNM stage etc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports of 114 cases of carcinoma endometrium, that were operated in-house during the years 2008 to 2010 were analyzed from the files of the Pathology department of our hospital. RESULTS: The median age was 58.04 years and median tumor size was 4 cm. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma was the most common type (82.5%), followed by malignant mixed Mullerian tumor (MMMT) (6.1%) and Serous carcinoma (3.5%). Grade 2 was the commonest tumor grade (42.1%). Less than half of myometrial invasion was seen in 50% of the cases and more than half of the myometrial invasion was seen in 46.5% of cases. (Information was not available in four cases). Parametrial involvement was seen in 5.3% cases. The pTNM stage was not mentioned in 71.9% reports. The median lymph node yield was 15. CONCLUSION: The compliance to adhere to and to provide minimum data information in carcinoma endometrium reports is generally good. Lymph node yield is reasonable. Mentioning of pTNM staging is to be done more meticulously. Use of proformas/checklists is recommended.

Synchronous malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the uterus with transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary.

A 55-year-old woman presented with a complaint of post-menopausal bleeding per vaginum. Local examination revealed a mass, protruding from the cervical os, which detached spontaneously. An adnexal mass was felt through the pouch of Douglas on per vaginum examination. Histopathological examination of the avulsed specimen revealed a diagnosis of malignant mixed Müllerian tumor. The patient underwent surgical staging with total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, left pelvic lymphadenectomy, infracolic omentectomy, and peritoneal wash cytology. Pathological examination revealed a second primary tumor, that is, a transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary. Both the uterine malignant mixed Müllerian tumor and the ovarian transitional cell carcinoma were staged as IA. Subsequently, the patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. The patient is in complete remission at 1 year following the treatment. Synchronous genital tract neoplasms constitute a therapeutic challenge and necessitate an effective multimodality therapeutic approach based on meticulous pathological examination and tumor staging.

Prostate cancer collaborative stage data items--their definitions, quality, usage, and clinical implications: a review of SEER data for 2004-2010.

BACKGROUND: Version 2 of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System (CSv2) became effective with cases diagnosed in 2010. This report focuses on the CSv2 components required to derive the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage for prostate cancer and on the site-specific factors for prostate cancer captured in CSv2. The report also highlights differences between the AJCC 6th and 7th editions for classifying prostate cancer stage. METHODS: Data from 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program population-based registries (SEER-18) were analyzed for the years 2004-2010, which included 400,591 prostate cancer cases. RESULTS: CSv2 provides specificity with regard to the Gleason grading system by distinguishing between clinical and pathologic patterns and scores. The AJCC 7th edition incorporates prostate-specific antigen values into staging, subdivides stage II into IIA and IIB, and reclassifies extraprostatic invasion with microscopic bladder neck invasion from T4 in the 6th edition to T3a; this latter change affected the AJCC stage of 283 cases in 2010. Of the 44,578 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2010 that would have been classified as stage II in the AJCC 6th edition, 32.7%, 27.5%, and 39.8% are classified as stages I, IIA, and IIB, respectively, in the 7th edition. CONCLUSIONS: CSv2 provides more information than was previously available to researchers using SEER prostate data. The absence of a clearly defined clinical stage for each prostate case is the overriding limitation that researchers face in relying on Collaborative Stage information to analyze prostate cancer data.