title: Radiation-induced sarcoma masquerading as osteoradionecrosis: case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation therapy is a commonly used treatment in head and neck oncology, whether used alone or as an adjunct to other treatments. Osteoradionecrosis and radiation-induced malignancy are both rare, late complications of radiation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper describes a case of radiation-induced sarcoma of the mandible initially presenting as osteoradionecrosis. In addition, the literature on the identification and treatment of these entities is reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient underwent excision and reconstruction of the presumed osteoradionecrosis. Final pathology demonstrated radiation-induced sarcoma. The patient suffered tumour recurrence at seven months post-operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When evaluating a patient with osteoradionecrosis, clinicians should be cognisant of the risk of malignancy. This paper describes the first case of radiation-induced sarcoma presenting as osteoradionecrosis. Primary treatment of radiation-induced sarcoma is wide surgical extirpation, with a very limited role for chemotherapy. Overall survival for this entity is poor.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,University of Tennessee Health Science Center,Memphis,Tennessee,USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wood
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,Baptist Cancer Center,Memphis,Tennessee,USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ver Halen
authors: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,University of Tennessee Health Science Center,Memphis,Tennessee,USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Samant
authors: Department of Pathology,University of Tennessee Health Science Center,Memphis,Tennessee,USA.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Florendo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: Review