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.