Liposarcomas of the head and neck.A review of the literature and addition of four cases

Abstract

Liposarcomas of the head and neck are rare. There have been 25 previously reported patients in the literature. Four patients with head and neck liposarcomas, recently treated by the Head and Neck Surgery Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, are presented. Less than half of reported patients were noted to be living without evidence of disease. Prognosis generally corresponds to the cell type of the tumor. Intraoral, cheek and orbital tumors seem to have a worse prognosis compared to neck tumors. Wide local excision remains the treatment of choice. Advances in surgical techniques have allowed adequate therapy for most head and neck liposarcomas. Advanced lesions should be managed by conservative surgery and radical radiation therapy.

Liposarcoma of the retropharyngeal space with rapidly worsening dyspnea: A case report and review of the literature

“…Well-differentiated liposarcoma is the most common subtype of all liposarcomas, recurring locally, but rarely metastasizing (16). Patients with this type of liposarcoma have an improved prognosis compared with those with other subtypes (17). Myxoid tumors, similar to the well-differentiated variety, are unlikely to metastasize and have a favorable five-year survival rate.…”

Giant dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the right hemifacial area involving the oral cavity

“…Nonetheless, Saunders et al. 3 suggested that palliative radiotherapy can enhance the survival ratio of cases with all types of non‐resectable liposarcomas. Also in the recent literature, it is reported that radiotherapy, particularly post‐operative adjuvant radiation, can be considered useful and might delay or prevent local recurrence 14–16 .…”

“…Liposarcoma represents approximately 1% of head and neck sarcomas, and their occurrence is rarely reported within head and neck [1][2][3][4][5] .…”

Giant Atypical Lipomatous Tumor/Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma of the Neck

“…Some reports suggest that the low-grade types are more sensitive to radiation than the high-grade types, although all types of liposarcoma are somewhat radiosensitive. 2,3 Saunders et al 8 have reported that palliative radiation therapy may prolong survival in unresectable tumors. Most studies do not recommend routine regional lymph node dissection.…”

“…Most studies do not recommend routine regional lymph node dissection. 6,8,9 No study has ever demonstrated conclusive evidence supporting chemotherapy in the treatment of liposarcoma. Wide and deep surgical excision, along with local radiation and/or chemotherapy, may be necessary for high-grade lesions.…”