A case of sarcoma suspected to be radiation-induced occurring for a short time after postoperative radiation therapy for carcinoma of the maxillary gingiva

Abstract

We report a case of radiation-induced sarcoma that developed shortly after postoperative radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary gingiva. A 55-year-old man with a right maxillary gingival tumor was referred to our hospital. We performed partial maxillectomy to remove the tumor. The stump of the resected tumor was close to the surgical margin. Later, we performed postoperative radiation therapy. After 4 years, the patient experienced pain in the right buccal region of the irradiated area. Contrast computed tomography revealed the recurrence of tumor in the right maxilla. The pathology of the tumor was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, which was different from that of the first cancer. Although various chemotherapies were performed, the tumor remained unaffected and the volume of the tumor gradually increased. The patient died 8 months after chemotherapy.