Head and Neck Hemangiopericytomas: Diagnostic Contradictions

Treatment outcome and prognostic factors of head and neck hemangiopericytoma: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Head and neck hemangiopericytoma (HNHPC) is rare. Treatment outcome and specific prognostic factors were unexplored.

METHODS

A case meta-analysis, in which treatment and outcome data were available, was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 116 primary HNHPC cases were analyzed. Poor pathologic differentiation was associated with increased risk of tumor recurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 2.378; p = .005), metastasis (OR = 3.634; p = .011), and mortality (OR = 4.563; p = .002), whereas surgery was associated with decreased risk of tumor recurrence (OR = 0.109; p = .004). The tumor size >5.0 cm in diameter (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.391; p = .002), nonsurgical treatment (HR = 7.648; p = .000), and poor pathologic differentiation (HR = 1.705; p = .012) were the independent unfavorable prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Moreover, nonsurgical treatment (HR = 8.097; p = .002) and deep tumor location (HR = 4.074; p = .013) were independent adverse prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a management emphasizing the surgical removal of the tumor as first-line treatment. Tumor size >5.0 cm, poor pathologic differentiation, deep tumor location, and nonsurgical treatment were independent adverse prognostic factors.

Primary sarcomas of the salivary glands: case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal malignancies of salivary origin are rare and are histologically diverse. We reviewed our experience with these tumors, as well as the published literature, with an emphasis on treatment modalities and prognosis.

METHODS

We identified 17 patients treated for malignant mesenchymal cell tumors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1990 and 2007. We compared our results to the literature from January 1990 to July 2010.

RESULTS

Tumors were located primarily in the parotid gland and were primarily T1 tumors (<5 cm). All patients were treated with surgical resection, and 13 patients were given adjuvant therapy. Seven patients (41%) had recurrence, and 4 developed distant metastases. The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 42% and 20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case series and literature review show that sarcomas of the salivary glands have a high rate of recurrence and are associated with a poor prognosis.