SARCOMAS OF HEAD AND NECK: 31 cases and review of the Literature

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas are a highly heterogenous group of tumors that are classified by differentiation. Their invasive or destructive growth pattern, recurrence and distant metastatic capacity are variable according to their subtype and also their localization. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical characteristics, histopathologic subgroups, therapeutic modalities and clinical course of head and neck sarcomas. Study Design: Retrospective study and review of literature Materials and Methods: Patients with head and neck sarcomas who underwent surgery at XXXX University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology between 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic features of the patients, histopathologic subtypes, immunohistochemical markers, locations of the tumor, type of surgery, margins of the specimens, type of reconstructive surgery and type of adjuvant treatment were reviewed. Results: The histopathologic subtypes were rhabdomyosarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and synovyal sarcoma. The most frequent site was nasal cavity and was detected in 7 cases. Local recurrence developed in three patients. Conclusion: Sarcomas of the head and neck region are relatively rare tumors. Radical resection of the tumors is essential for these cases.