[Radiation-induced sarcoma, apropos of a case with cervical and intrapetrous development]

The authors report on a case of fibrosarcoma of the secondary petrous part of the temporal bone following irradiation, eight years earlier, of a cerebellar astrocytoma. Based on a review of the literature, they recall the characteristic traits of these tumors: development in the field of irradiation, prolonged latency period, exact histology, rarity of cervico-cephalic locations. The treatment usually associates wide surgical exeresis and chemotherapy. The prognosis remains poor due to local recurrences and visceral metastases (20 to 60% at five years).