Clinical Characteristics of Radiation-Induced Sarcoma of the Head and Neck: Review of 15 Cases and 323 Cases in the Literature.
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of radiation-induced sarcoma of the head and neck (RISHN) that could help in the early diagnosis of this rare disease.


METHODS
From August 1995 through October 2014, 15 cases of RISHN presenting at the authors' department and 323 cases in the literature were reviewed.


RESULTS
The incidence of RISHN was higher in men than in women (male-to-female ratio, 2.4:1). The mean latency was long (9.3 yr), and the tumor often occurred in middle age (50.0 yr old). Osteosarcoma was the predominant pathologic diagnosis (34.1%). The prognosis of RISHN was poor.


CONCLUSIONS
RISHN is a serious long-term complication of radiotherapy and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Owing to the long latency period, its early diagnosis is difficult to make. RISHN should be considered when a patient who has undergone radiotherapy presents with a mass, pain, or trismus in the irradiated field.
Resident, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Wangyong
W
Zhu
Resident, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Fengchun
F
Hu
Resident, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Tengda
T
Zhao
Attending Physician and Associate Professor, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Cheng
C
Wang
Attending Physician and Professor, Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: taoqian@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Qian
Q
Tao
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002648:Child; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012737:Sex Factors