[Sarcoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses]

Abstract

Sarcomas of the head and neck are rare tumours accounting for less than 1% of all malignant neoplasms in this region. The prognosis of these tumours and the survival in adults (< 50% at 5 years) is directly related to histological tumour type, tumour size and the possibility of adequate tumour resection. In the present paper, the authors present the course of sarcomas with special reference to rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma in the nose and paranasal sinuses. Surgical resection with pathologically free margins represents the best modality of initial therapy. Additional adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy have shown better survival rates in pediatric patients and, to some degree, also in adults. The purpose of future studies should be the development of new therapy protocols which could further elucidate the beneficial effects of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of sarcomas of the head and neck.