Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck: a single-centre experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to report our experience with malignant and borderline soft tissue tumours (STS) of the head and neck region in the period 1977-2000.


METHODS
Retrospective case study including new evaluation of histological specimens.


METHODS
Tertiary centre, single centre.


METHODS
Review of patient's records and new evaluation of pathological specimens were made for 66 patients. After evaluation only 36 patients (26 men and 10 women) still met present criteria for a STS in head and neck in adults.


RESULTS
The original histological diagnosis was changed in 27 (41%) of the 66 patients with a primary diagnosis of sarcoma. After review the most common histological diagnoses were leiomyosarcoma (5) and rhabdomyosarcoma (5). Overall 5-year survival rate was 60%. Overall 5-year disease-free survival rate was 44%. The study showed that both tumour grade and surgical margin had a statistically significant impact on survival. No relation was found between survival and tumour size or age.


CONCLUSIONS
The grave prognosis especially for high-grade tumours emphasizes the need for improved treatment strategies. Furthermore, conclusions from older studies concerning prognosis may be obsolete as approximately 40% of tumours previously diagnosed as sarcomas may be invalid by present day standards.
Lajer
C B
CB
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. lajer@dadlnet.dk
Daugaard
S
S
Hansen
H S
HS
Kirkegaard
J
J
Holmgaard
S
S
Christensen
M E
ME
D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*