Soft tissues sarcomas of the head and neck in adult: Histo-clinical analysis of 30-years material in the data of ENT Department of Silesian Medical University

Aim: The aim of this study was the assessment of efficiency treatment of soft tissues sarcomas in adult in the data of ENT Department of Silesian Medical University in Katowice. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis has been carried out for 22 patients with the diagnosis of STS in head and neck, treated in the ENT Department of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Poland, in the years 1980-2010. Most common histopathological diagnosis was fibrosarcoma. Preferred treatment was surgery combined with radiotherapy. Despite intensive treatment results remain unsatisfactory. Results: The most frequent cause of treatment failure was local recurrence, which was found in 7 cases. In 2 patients, nodal recurrence occurred, while in further 4 patients dissemination of neoplasm occurred. Of the 22 patients in our study, 13 died. Complete 5-year survival in the study group was achieved in case of 3 patients, 4 other patients have survived up to 3 years so far, while 1 patient survived less than 1 year so far. Conclusions: The application of surgical treatment combined with post-surgical radiotherapy allowed to enhance life quality and to prolong the life of patients. Unfortunately, the percentage of local recurrence cases still remains high. Results of STS treatment are still not satisfactory. The main reasons for it include late for treatment, in relation to the moment of noticing the tumor, in the majority of cases a high malignancy level, as well as technically difficult procedures, along with the strong tendency for local recurrence.