Soft part sarcomas of the head and neck

Abstract

During the 28-yr-period from 1949-1977, 285 patients with sarcoma of the head and neck region were seen and treated at Memorial Cancer Center. Two hundred forty-two cases were determinate, and none was lost to follow-up study. The determinate and absolute 5-yr cure rate was 32%. More than 50% of the cases were seen in children (8 cases were congenital) and were almost universally anaplastic and prone to generalized metastasis with fatal outcome. Combined modalities of radical surgery, postoperative radiotherapy, and chemotherapy over a prolonged period have markedly altered the prognosis of these tumors. Soft part sarcomas are an unusual group of tumors with a common fibrosarcomatous background. The qualified pathologist can identify quite accurately the different histologic entities and their varying grade, a point of great significance as to clinical course and treatment.