Head and neck sarcomas: treatment outcomes in a tertiary referral center in Argentina

Purpose To analyze the clinical findings, management, and results of oncological treatments and to identify prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with head and neck sarcoma. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis including 48 adult patients with primary head and neck sarcomas, treated between 2006 and 2018 in a referral center of Argentina. Results The median follow-up time was 44 months (range: 4-146 months). Five-year overall survival was 68%. On univariate analysis, radiation-induced sarcomas (p=0.038) had worse survival. Five-year disease-free survival was 58% and local recurrence at 2 years was 22.7%. On multivariate analysis, positive/close resection margins (p=0.031), radiation-induced sarcomas (p=0.037), and mandibular and oral cavity location (p=0.002) were independent prognostic factors associated to local recurrence and shorter disease-free survival. Conclusion Head and neck sarcomas are a rare entity. Surgery is feasible in more than 80% of patients, with an acceptable overall and disease-free survival. Radiation-induced sarcomas, location in the mandible and oral cavity, and close margins were significant prognostic factors in our population.