Treatment of 125 sinonasal tumors: prognostic factors, outcome, and follow-up

Abstract

We reviewed our experience with sinonasal cancer patients to assess the prognostic factors. Between 1974 and 1995, we enrolled 125 patients (58 + 16 years [mean age + SD]; 94 males and 31 females). Tumor stage distribution was: T1, 64 patients; T2, 36 patients; and T3, 25 patients. Surgery as a primary treatment was selected for 106 patients (55 cases of surgery alone, 40 cases of surgery plus radiotherapy, and 11 cases of surgery plus chemotherapy with/without radiotherapy). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival was 75.0%, 37.2%, and 24.7%, respectively. The parameters with statistical prognostic significance were nodal stage, locoregional failure, and tumor stage. Histological type and primary site had no prognostic value. There were no significant survival differences between surgery alone and surgery plus radiotherapy. Sinonasal tumors have a poor survival, despite early diagnosis, radical surgical resection, and strict follow-up. Radiotherapy seems not to be clearly necessary in stage T1.