Alveolar soft part sarcoma of the oral and maxillofacial region: clinical analysis in a series of 18 patients

Objectives. To summarize the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and prognosis of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) of the oral and maxillofacial region. Study design. We performed a retrospective study in a consecutive series of 18 patients with ASPS of the oral and maxillofacial region between 1995 and 2013. Demographic characteristics, tumor sizes, sites, tumor metastasis, diagnosis, treatments, and overall follow-ups were documented. Results. The 18 patients were diagnosed pathologically with primary tumor developed on the tongue (10), the cheek (5), the pharynx (1), and the gingiva (2) with an average tumor size of 4 cm. At the latest follow-up, 1 patient with lung metastases survived for 23 months; 1 died 3 months after the confirmation of local recurrence and multiple pulmonary metastases; the rest of the patients were disease free and remained in good health. Conclusions. ASPS of the oral and maxillofacial region appears to have special clinical characteristics.