Head and neck soft tissue sarcomas: a multivariate analysis of outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck region represent a rare group of tumors of which a limited number of published individual- and institution-based experiences exist.


METHODS
We performed an analysis of head and neck sarcoma patients identified from our institution between 1973 and 1999. Exclusion criteria included pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas, sarcomas of the neuromeningeal axis or non-head and neck primary disease sites, and bone sarcomas. All cases underwent pathologic re-review before statistical analysis.


RESULTS
After pathologic review, 111 head and neck sarcoma patients remained (mean age, 47 +/- 20 years). The median duration of follow-up was 51 months; the actuarial 5-year relapse-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals were 55%, 52%, and 44%, respectively. Forty-six percent remained free of recurrence at the most recent follow-up, and the most common site of recurrence was local followed by distant sites. By multivariate analysis, size and grade significantly influenced relapse-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals, whereas margin status additionally influenced relapse-free survival. Subset analysis of the fibrosarcoma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma and desmoid/dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans histologies was undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
Size >5 cm and high-grade histology are considered poor prognostic indicators. Patients with either of these characteristics should be considered for adjuvant trials.
Bentz
Brandon G
BG
Head & Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Singh
Bhuvanesh
B
Woodruff
James
J
Brennan
Murray
M
Shah
Jatin P
JP
Kraus
Dennis
D
D000328:Adult; D018223:Dermatofibrosarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome