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. 2005 Sep;27(9):814-24.
doi: 10.1002/hed.20232.

Multidisciplinary management of head and neck sarcomas

R James Colville  1 , Fraser Charlton, Charles G Kelly, Jonathan J Nicoll, Neil R McLean
Affiliations

Multidisciplinary management of head and neck sarcomas

R James Colville et al. Head Neck. 2005 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Head and neck sarcomas are extremely rare. This article reviews the management and outcomes in a multidisciplinary clinic.

Methods: The records of 41 male and 19 female patients (mean age, 50 years) were reviewed. Forty percent underwent surgical resection only, 35% underwent surgery and adjuvant therapy, and 25% underwent radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy without surgery. Seventy-one percent had complete histologic clearance.

Results: The mean follow-up was 3 years and 10 months, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 60%. Completeness of surgical excision was highly significant in determining 5-year local control (p < .025), and the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy had a major effect on local control, but only if complete surgical clearance had been achieved (p < .025). As expected, patients with more aggressive tumors had a significantly poorer overall prognosis, and achieving local control led to an enhanced 5-year survival (p < .025).

Conclusion: These tumors are best managed in multidisciplinary clinics, and the mainstay of treatment is wide local excision and planned postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.

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