Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Oncol. Dec 10, 2014; 5(5): 973-981
Published online Dec 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.973
Published online Dec 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.973
Radiation-induced sarcomas of the head and neck
Anuradha Thiagarajan, Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
N Gopalakrishna Iyer, Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
Author contributions: Thiagarajan A and Iyer NG conceived, wrote and edited this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. N Gopalakrishna Iyer, MD, PhD, Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore. gopaliyer@yahoo.com
Telephone: +65-64368294 Fax: +65-62257559
Received: June 2, 2014
Revised: August 28, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Published online: December 10, 2014
Revised: August 28, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Published online: December 10, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Radiotherapy is an important modality in the curative management of head and neck carcinoma. However, it is also associated with significant morbidity. Radiation-induced second malignancies, particularly radiation-induced sarcomas (RIS), are arguably the most devastating sequelae associated with radiotherapy. This review examines the common trends, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of RIS in head and neck cancers.