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Head and Neck Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Multivariate Analysis of Outcomes

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Abstract

Background

Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck region represent a rare group of tumors of which a limited number of published individual- and institution-based experiences exist.

Methods

We performed an analysis of head and neck sarcoma patients identified from our institution between 1973 and 1999. Exclusion criteria included pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas, sarcomas of the neuromeningeal axis or non–head and neck primary disease sites, and bone sarcomas. All cases underwent pathologic re-review before statistical analysis.

Results

After pathologic review, 111 head and neck sarcoma patients remained (mean age, 47 ± 20 years). The median duration of follow-up was 51 months; the actuarial 5-year relapse-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals were 55%, 52%, and 44%, respectively. Forty-six percent remained free of recurrence at the most recent follow-up, and the most common site of recurrence was local followed by distant sites. By multivariate analysis, size and grade significantly influenced relapse-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals, whereas margin status additionally influenced relapse-free survival. Subset analysis of the fibrosarcoma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma and desmoid/dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans histologies was undertaken.

Conclusions

Size >5 cm and high-grade histology are considered poor prognostic indicators. Patients with either of these characteristics should be considered for adjuvant trials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah

    Brandon G. Bentz MD

  2. Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York

    Bhuvanesh Singh MD, Murray Brennan MD, Jatin P. Shah MD & Dennis Kraus MD

  3. Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York

    James Woodruff MD

  4. Head & Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY, 10021

    Dennis Kraus MD

Authors
  1. Brandon G. Bentz MD
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  2. Bhuvanesh Singh MD
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  3. James Woodruff MD
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  4. Murray Brennan MD
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  5. Jatin P. Shah MD
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  6. Dennis Kraus MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dennis Kraus MD.

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Bentz, B.G., Singh, B., Woodruff, J. et al. Head and Neck Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Multivariate Analysis of Outcomes. Ann Surg Oncol 11, 619–628 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2004.03.006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2004.03.006

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