Association of Clinicopathological Features With Outcome in Chondrosarcomas of the Head and Neck.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the association between clinical and radiological features as well as of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 ( IDH 1,2) mutations with outcome in head and neck chondrosarcomas.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

METHODS: Clinical, histological, and molecular data of patients with head and neck chondrosarcomas treated by surgery were collected.

RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 56 years (range, 17-78). The tumor originated from the skull base (52.2%), facial bones (28.2%), or laryngotracheal area (19.6%). At last follow-up (median 52.5 months), 38 patients were alive, 30 of which were disease free, whereas 8 had died, 4 of disease progression and 4 of other causes. Fourteen (30.4%) had local recurrence and 2 (4.3%) had lung metastasis. All cases were negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, brachyury, and IDH1 at immunohistochemistry, while Sanger sequencing identified IDH1/2 point mutations, typically IDH1 R132C, in 9 (37.5%) tumors arising from the skull base. Margin infiltration on the surgical specimen negatively affected the outcome, whereas no correlation was identified with IDH mutation status.

CONCLUSIONS: An adequate margin positively affects survival. IDH mutation status does not affect patient outcome.