title: Head and neck osteosarcoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to discuss the optimal management and treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck osteosarcomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review article.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Osteosarcomas account for approximately 1% or less of all head and neck cancers. The vast majority occur in the mandible and maxilla. The median age is in the fourth decade, with a wide range. They are more likely to recur locally after treatment and distant metastases are observed less often than with the more common osteosarcomas arising in the long bones. The optimal treatment is complete resection. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The vast majority of recurrences are observed within 5 years. The 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates are approximately 60% to 70%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteosarcoma of the head and neck is a rare entity that occurs primarily in the mandible and maxilla. The optimal treatment is surgery. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for those with close or positive margins. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is ill-defined. The likelihood of cure is approximately 60% to 70%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, 32610-0385, USA. mendwm@shands.ufl.edu
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Werning
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaysberg
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Malyapa
authors.forename: Nancy P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome