Introduction
Soft tissue sarcomas are a highly heterogenous group of tumors that are classified by differentiation. Their invasive or destructive growth pattern, recurrence and distant metastatic capacity are variable according to their subtype and also their localization. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare with annual incidence 5 per 100000. These tumors are rarely seen in the head and neck region and this region is involved in 4-10 % of soft tissue sarcomas. Only 1-2 % of head and neck tumors are soft tissue sarcomas (1-4). These tumors occur more commonly in males and age and gender properties are variable among the histologic subtypes. Enviromental factors, oncogenic viruses, immunologic factors and genetic predisposition are important in their pathogenesis. The management of these patients requires multidisciplinary approach because of complex anatomy of the head and neck region. Grading and staging systems are important for appropriate evaluation and treatment modalities. Grading system is based on histologic grade, mitotic count, tumor necrosis and tumor differentiation. Staging system requires a multidiciplinary approach again due to the insufficiency of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Staging Systems have disadvantages to evaluate these tumors. Clear histopathologic evaluation is essential for the best management. As in many soft tissue sarcomas local control is very important and best treatment is surgery with wide surgical margins for the head and neck sarcomas.
The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical characteristics, histopathologic subgroups, therapeutic modalities and clinical course of head and neck sarcomas in a single center.