Fibrosarcoma of the jaws. A study of 7 cases

Seven cases of fibrosarcoma of the jaws are presented. Five cases were in the mandible and 2 involved the maxilla. There were 3 males and 4 females and ages varied from 11 to 59 years. Four patients were in their third decade. All patients died of their tumour. Reason for death was local extension (2 patients); metastatic spread (2 patients); both local extension and metastatic spread (2 patients); and post-operative complications (1 patient). Factors causing this unfavourable clinical course are discussed. Chemotherapy and irradiation were of no therapeutic benefit. Some notes on histogenesis are made with respect to an odontogenic origin of jaw fibrosarcoma. This possibility exists but contributory evidence is equivocal unless a secondary fibrosarcoma has arisen in a benign odontogenic tumour.