Sarcomas of the head and neck

Fourteen cases of sarcomas involving the head and neck over a period of 15 years were reviewed. The male to female ratio was 3.5:1. Mean age of occurrence was 33.4 years, with a range of 5-84 years. Soft tissue was the site of origin in three cases, maxilla in four and mandible in seven patients. Radical surgery with resection of adequate disease-free margins was the most effective mode of treatment. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy was used in selected cases. Recurrence occurred in 42.9% of patients, and was the main cause of death. Three patients (21.4%) developed distant metastases. The actuarial 2-year and 5-year survivals of the 14 patients assessed were 64% and 56% respectively.