Liuzzi Juan F*, DaCunha Maribel, Siso Saul and Salas Daniuska
Background: Head and neck sarcomas are uncommon clinical entities and radiation-induced sarcomas of the head and neck (RISHN) even more. They comprise a very serious long-term complication of radiation therapy. Patients and methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients with diagnosis of head and neck sarcomas evaluated and treated in our Hospital from 2005 to 2015, and selected those who had sarcomas related to the use of external beam radiotherapy. Results: The incidence of RISHN was 17.5% among all head and neck sarcomas evaluated. Most patients had sarcomas located at the maxillary sinus. Leiomyosarcoma was the most common histological type. The latency period average between time of initial radiation therapy and time of diagnosis of RIHNS was 18.4 years. Patients received single or combined treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, according to the criteria for tumor resectability. The average follow-up was 24.42 months and the disease free-survival rate at the end of the study was 28.6%. Conclusions: The overall prognosis of RISHN is poor regardless the modality of treatment received. Despite the difficulties to perform a surgical procedure in a radiated field, we consider surgery the best option to treat RISHN, over chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
