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Review
. 2013 Jan 31;42(1):2.
doi: 10.1186/1916-0216-42-2.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC): the Alberta experience and literature review

Caroline C Xu  1 , Peter T Dziegielewski, William T McGaw, Hadi Seikaly
Affiliations
Review

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC): the Alberta experience and literature review

Caroline C Xu et al. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare malignancy with often dismal outcomes. This study set to determine provincial and literature-wide survival outcomes based on treatment modality.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of all SNUC patients in the province of Alberta from 1986-2010 was conducted. A review of the literature of SNUC patients was also performed. Patient/tumor characteristics, treatment, and follow-up/survival data were collected. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analyses were performed.

Results: 20 patients were treated for SNUC in Alberta and 140 patients were identified in the literature. Pooled median disease-free survival was 12. 7 months and 5-year survival estimate was 6.25%. Cox-Regression analysis demonstrated an overall survival advantage with multimodality treatments (Log-Rank test: p = 0.015). However, no statistically significant differences in disease-free and overall survival were identified between patients treated with chemoradiation or surgery followed by adjuvant therapy.

Conclusions: Treatment of SNUC remains challenging with poor survival outcomes. There appears to be no statistically significant difference in overall, or disease-free survival between treatment modalities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan-Meir plot depicting overall survival by treatment modality.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan-Meir plot depicting disease-free survival by treatment modality.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kaplan-Meir plot depicting overall survival by single versus multi-modality approaches.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Kaplan-Meir plot depicting disease-free survival by single versus multi-modality approaches.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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Supplementary concepts

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