Head and neck sarcomas: treatment outcomes in a tertiary referral center in Argentina

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery 2021-12, Vol.25 (4), p.509-518
• Main Authors: Yanzon, Alejandro, Gomez, Natalia Lucia, Picco, Pedro, Boccalatte, Luis, Cayol, Federico, Larrañaga, Juan, Figari, Marcelo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dentistry; Head & neck cancer; Medical prognosis; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Radiation; Sarcoma
• ISSN: 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-021-00944-0

Purpose To analyze the clinical findings, management, and results of oncological treatments and to identify prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with head and neck sarcoma. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis including 48 adult patients with primary head and neck sarcomas, treated between 2006 and 2018 in a referral center of Argentina. Results The median follow-up time was 44 months (range: 4–146 months). Five-year overall survival was 68%. On univariate analysis, radiation-induced sarcomas ( p =0.038) had worse survival. Five-year disease-free survival was 58% and local recurrence at 2 years was 22.7%. On multivariate analysis, positive/close resection margins ( p =0.031), radiation-induced sarcomas ( p =0.037), and mandibular and oral cavity location ( p =0.002) were independent prognostic factors associated to local recurrence and shorter disease-free survival. Conclusion Head and neck sarcomas are a rare entity. Surgery is feasible in more than 80% of patients, with an acceptable overall and disease-free survival. Radiation-induced sarcomas, location in the mandible and oral cavity, and close margins were significant prognostic factors in our population.