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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Adult head and neck soft tissue sarcomas
William M Mendenhall1, Charles M Mendenhall, John W Werning
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, P. O. Box 100385, Gainesville, FL 32610-0385, USA. mendewil@shands.ufl.edu
Background:
The purpose was to determine the optimal treatment for adult patients with head and neck soft tissue sarcomas.
Methods:
We conducted a review of the pertinent literature.
Results:
Local control after surgery alone or combined with radiotherapy was obtained in approximately 60% to 70% of the patients. The probability of local control is influenced by histologic grade, tumor size, and surgical margins. Patients with high-grade tumors and/or positive margins have improved local control if adjuvant radiotherapy is used. Distant metastases occurred in 10% to 30% of patients. The 5-year overall and cause-specific survival rates varied from approximately 60% to 70% and are affected by age, histologic grade, previous treatment of tumor, invasion of deep structures, and adequacy of surgery.
Conclusions:
The optimal treatment for adult head and neck soft tissue sarcomas is surgery. Adjuvant radiotherapy improves outcomes for those with high-grade tumors and/or positive margins. Radiotherapy alone will cure a small subset of patients with unresectable tumors.
