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Objective The aim of this review is to study natural history, presentation, treatment and prognosis of head and neck liposarcomas. Methods We carry a retrospective study about 15 patients diagnosed and treated in our department between 1969 and 2001. Therapeutic modalities included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Results Tumors were mostly localized at the neck (4 cases) and the scalp (3 cases). Cervical lymphadenopathy was found in 1 case. Chest X-ray found showed metastases in 2 cases. Histological types of liposarcomas were the following: myxoid (5 cases), well differentiated (4 cases), pleomorphic (4 cases), round cell (1 case) and dedifferentiated (1 case). Twelve patients underwent surgery. Complete excision was performed in 7 cases. In the other 5 cases, exeresis was incomplete and 4 of them received postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients were not operated because of vascular involvement (1 case) or metastasis (2 cases), and they all received radiotherapy alone. After initial treatment, complete remission was achieved in 7 cases (46.7%). A recurrence occurred in 8 cases (53.3%). Two of these patients were reoperated and another one received chemotherapy. In the other 5 cases, the tumor was uncontrollable and no additional treatment has been proposed. Five-year survival rate was 87% for patients who underwent surgery alone, 75% for those who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and 0% for those treated by radiotherapy alone. Conclusion The mainstay of treatment of head and neck liposarcomas is surgical excision and the prognosis is largely determined by the histological grade and the clinical stage.

The concept of larynx preservation in locally advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has evolved during the last three decades, especially with the advancement of nonsurgical strategies. These nonsurgical strategies include: (1) radiotherapy alone; (2) concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT); and (3) induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or CCRT and concurrent anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To date, the best approach for larynx preservation has yet to be defined. In this article, we review and discuss important recent randomized phase II/III trials investigating larynx preservation in order to facilitate the selection of an appropriate strategy in the clinical setting. However, the decision of larynx preservation should always be a multidisciplinary approach.

L\'hemangiome larynge de l\'adulte est extremement rare et presente des specificites histologiques et evolutives. Il peut representer un veritable defi therapeutique. Les auteurs rapportent 9 cas d\'hemangiomes larynges de l\'adulte colliges retrospectivement sur une periode de 20 ans (1984- 2004). Il s\'agissait de 6 hommes et 3 femmes, âges en moyenne de 46 ans (17 a 75 ans). Les signes d\'appel etaient la dysphonie dans tous les cas, associee a des hemorragies de sang rouge exteriorisees par voie buccale chez 3 patients. Le diagnostic reposait dans tous les cas sur la laryngoscopie directe qui retrouvait une tumefaction glottique de couleur bleutee, a surface lisse. Une biopsie avec examen anatomo-pathologique a ete systematique. Tous les patients ont beneficie d\'une exerese instrumentale de la masse par voie endoscopique, avec hemostase locale. Deux recidives ont ete notees, pour lesquels une seconde exerese instrumentale par voie endoscopique a ete realisee avec une evolution favorable. Le recul moyen etait de 9 ans. The adult laryngeal hemangioma is extremely rare and presents histological and evolutionary particularities. It can represent a real therapeutic challenge. The authors report 9 cases of adult laryngeal hemangiomas over a period of 20 years (1984-2004). It was about 6 man and 3 women, old on average of 46 years ( 17 - 75 years). The signs of appeal were the dysphonia in every case, associated to bleedings of red blood exteriorized with oral way in 3 cases. Diagnosis based in every case on the direct laryngoscopy which found a glottic tumefaction of bluish colour, in smooth surface. A biopsy with anatomo-pathological exam was realized in every case. All the patients benefited from an instrumental excision of the mass by endoscopic way, with local haemostasis. Two recurrences were noted, which benefited from a second endoscopic instrumental excision, with a favorable evolution. Average follow up was of 9 years. Journal Tunisien d\'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 16 2006: pp. 5-7

Nerve tumors arising from the sympathetic chain are uncommon slow-growing tumors and represent a diagnosis challenge. Their malignant degeneration is rare. Definitive pre-operative diagnosis may be difficult as investigations are not usually helpful. We report the case of a 23-year old woman who presented with an asymptomatic solitary left cervical swelling. She was evaluated with sonography and computed tomography. Complete surgical excision of the lesion was carried out and histologic examination revealed a schwannoma. Post-operatively, the patient showed clinical findings of Horner’s syndrome. Pathologic and radiological evaluation, differential diagnosis of this neoplasm and its management are discussed.

Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is defined as a lymphoma involving only the thyroid gland or both thyroid gland and neck lymph nodes, without contiguous spread or distant metastases from other areas of involvement at diagnosis. Despite its rarity, PTL should be promptly recognized because its management is quite different from the treatment of other neoplasms of the thyroid gland. In the present study, we report a case of PTL treated by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Otherwise, literature review allowed us to define main characteristics of this located lymphoma.