[Liposarcoma in the area of the head-neck].

Abstract

Liposarcoma is the second most common soft tissue sarcoma occurring in adults, though it rarely involves the head and neck region. Fewer than 100 such cases have been described in the literature. We present two additional cases and a review of the literature. Prognosis is mainly determined by histologic grade. A high incidence of local recurrence is typical of all subtypes. Complete surgical excision is the most effective treatment. In the head and neck region the extent of the excision is limited by the proximity of neurovascular structures. The benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy in head and neck liposarcoma remain uncertain. Studies on liposarcoma at other sites indicate that addition of radiotherapy to surgery may result in longer local recurrence-free survival, though without improvement of overall survival.