Mandibular sarcomas: Surgical experience over the past 10 years

Introduction: Sarcomas located in the mandible are difficult to study due to their relatively rare appearance and histology. Patients and Methods: We present the experience of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona over the last 10 years (2001-2010) in the management of jaw sarcomas, performing a retrospective review of 12 cases of patients affected by this type of tumour. Results: The technique mostly used for the reconstruction was the microvascularised bone graft (fibula: 8/12), with 82% of the patients receiving adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy). Five of the patients died (42%), two were found with disease progression (16%), and 5 survived free of disease (42%) until the end of follow-up. Conclusions: The cases described are a unique series due to the mandibular location. Prognostic factors and survival rates are similar to those described for head and neck sarcomas. Free margin during surgery must be the goal of treatment, additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both being required to improve the survival rates. © 2011 SECOM.