A clinical investigation of oral sarcomas at multi-institutions over the past 30 years

Background/Aim: Sarcoma of the oral cavity is rare accounting for around 1% of all malignant oral tumors. The purpose of this study was to find important prognostic factors for patients with oral sarcoma. Patients and Methods: The study included 1,643 patients examined from April 1980 to March 2010 at the Departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery at multi-institutions who had a histopathological diagnosis of malignant oral tumors. Results: Sarcoma accounted for 19 of 1,643 cases (1.16%) in malignant oral tumors. Histologically, osteosarcoma was most common in 6 of the 19 patients, followed by 3 cases each of leiomyo - sarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 2 of rhabdomyosarcoma and 1 each of angiosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, malignant schwannoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor and undifferentiated sarcoma. Irrespective of the histological type, tumor diameter on initial examination was >50 mm in 8 patients, 7 of whom died. Tumor diameter was <50 mm in 11 patients, 6 of whom survived. Distant metastasis was present in 11 patients, 10 of whom died. The local control rate was 42.1% and 5-year survival rate was 36.8%. Conclusion: Treatment of patients with tumors over 50-mm long in diameter and distant metastasis is extremely difficult. The incidence of oral sarcoma is very low. However, tumor diameter and presence of distant metastasis are important prognostic factors for oral sarcoma according to this multiinstitutional study.