Sarcoma of the head

Head sarcoma is a malignant tumor that very often causes death. Most often, the head is affected by synovial sarcoma, that is, a solitary tumor that is falsely encapsulated. The neoplasm is localized in the upper third of the head, on the lateral surface and under the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Oncologists distinguish 4 types of synovial sarcoma that can affect the head:

• Round-celled, with cavities containing mucus-like masses.
• A tumor composed of cells similar to epithelium but forming an alveolar structure.
• Spindle cell sarcoma.
• Polymorphic cell type.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Skull sarcoma

Skull sarcoma is a malignant tumor disease that causes compression of the brain and the appearance of neurological symptoms. Chondrosarcomas and osteosarcomas are most often diagnosed. Treatment of this type of neoplasm is ineffective, since sarcoma recurs and metastasizes. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging methods are used for diagnostics. In some cases, craniography is used.

Treatment of skull sarcoma is aimed at normalizing intracranial pressure, preventing relapses and metastasis. If sarcoma causes progressive vision loss, then surgical intervention, decompression of the optic nerves, and lumboporitoneal shunting are used.

Sarcoma of the eye

Sarcoma of the eye is most common in preschool children. The tumor develops from the episclera or periosteum tissue, affecting one side. At the first stage, the disease resembles a chalazion, as it affects the upper parts of the orbit. The first symptom of a malignant neoplasm is swelling, redness of the eyelid and swelling of the orbit. After a while, drooping begins to develop. If the sarcoma is palpable, it can be hard or elastic to the touch, depending on the source of growth. The neoplasm is capable of growing through the skin, creating adhesions.

Eye sarcoma reaches large sizes in a short period of time. Due to the progressive growth of the tumor, the patient feels bursting pain in the orbit and in the eye socket behind the eye. Very often, there is a displacement of the eyeball and limitation of its mobility. The main symptom of progressive eye sarcoma is unilateral exophthalmos. If the sarcoma affects the eye orbit, it can grow, that is, metastasize to the nasal cavity, cranial cavity or paranasal sinuses.

Due to the growth of sarcoma and constant pain, patients develop early visual impairment, which leads to such changes as: atrophy and congestion of the optic nerve, retinal hemorrhages and degenerative changes, unilateral blindness, ulcers and erosions. Eye sarcoma is diagnosed using radioisotope studies, cytological examination, general clinical picture, X-ray tomography and other methods.

Treatment of a malignant tumor consists of surgical removal of the sarcoma and some healthy tissue (in some cases, the eye socket is completely cleaned). In the postoperative period, the patient undergoes a course of radiation, regular blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

Sarcoma of the nose

Sarcoma of the nose is a malignant tumor that affects the internal cavities of the nose. The development of sarcoma depends on the tissues from which it originated. Thus, the nose is most often affected by:

• Fibrosarcoma – develops from the connective soft tissues of the nose, is highly malignant. It progresses rapidly and can metastasize with the bloodstream.
• Osteosarcoma – develops from bone tissue, grows rapidly and metastasizes to the lungs.
• Lymphosarcoma – grows from lymphoid cells, metastasizes through the lymphatic vessels. As a rule, it affects the nasal concha or nasal septum, and can recur.
• Chondrosarcoma – develops from the cartilage of the nasal passages. It is very malignant and metastasizes with the bloodstream.

Symptoms of nasal sarcoma depend on the type of tumor, its location and stage of development. Symptoms correspond to pathological stages: latent period, growth inside the nasal passages, metastasis to neighboring organs, damage to lymph nodes and distant organs and systems.

Nasal sarcoma is diagnosed using histological examination and a number of combined methods. As for treatment, oncologists use radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgical removal of the tumor is considered a radical method.

Facial sarcoma

Facial sarcoma is an extremely rare and malignant disease. The tumor is characterized by slow growth and, in some cases, metastasis. Most often, sarcoma affects the upper lip, wings of the nose, eyelids, and nasolabial folds. In the early stages, sarcoma appears as a small lump. Soon, the skin above the nodule begins to ulcerate and become covered with a crust, which, even after removal, grows again. There are several types of malignant skin lesions. In its nature and course of the disease, facial sarcoma can be compared to squamous cell skin cancer or basiloma.

Facial sarcoma can affect individual parts of the face and gradually metastasize to neighboring ones. Thus, sarcoma of the nose, lips, eyes and facial skin is most common. Sarcoma diagnostics presents certain difficulties. Since even in the last stages of development, sarcoma can be mistaken for a benign tumor. In order to accurately identify the disease, a biopsy is performed (tissue sampling for histological or cytological examination).

Skin sarcoma is treated using radiation therapy, surgery, and combined methods. Metastasis is treated using chemotherapy and radiation, which destroy malignant cells.

Sarcoma of the throat

Throat sarcoma is a malignant process that develops due to chronic inflammation. As a rule, sarcoma occurs in areas of epithelial metaplasia and dysplasia. There are two types of sarcomas that affect the throat: connective tissue and epithelial. The first group includes spindle cell sarcoma, lymphosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and reticulosarcoma. The second group includes adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated tumors and squamous cell carcinoma.

The symptoms of throat sarcoma depend on the location of the tumor and the direction of its growth. If the tumor is located in the upper part of the throat, it interferes with breathing and causes bleeding. Sarcoma can metastasize and grow into the bones of the skull, disrupting the functions of the cranial nerves. The tumor can also grow through the side walls, causing ear pain and hearing loss. In some cases, sarcoma metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes.

Sarcoma is diagnosed using X-ray and instrumental examination. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are used to clarify the diagnosis. In the case of morphological examination, throat sarcoma is diagnosed using a biopsy. Due to the anatomical features of the throat structure, treatment is carried out using radiation and chemotherapy. The prognosis for throat sarcoma is unfavorable, and the effectiveness of treatment depends on the rationality of the use of radiation therapy.

Head sarcoma is characterized by a rapid growth rate and progression. At the initial stages, the patient does not feel painful symptoms, but as soon as the tumor begins to grow and metastasize to neighboring tissues, severe pain appears. Sarcoma recurs in 65% of cases, in 25% of cases regional metastases appear, and in 40% - distant ones. Treatment of head sarcoma is complex and combined. Oncologists use surgical treatment methods and radiation.