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. 2022 Jan 10;84(1):51-59.
doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1740968. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Sinonasal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Institution

Charles A Keilin  1 , Kyle K VanKoevering  2   3 , Jonathan B McHugh  4 , Erin L McKean  5   6
Affiliations

Sinonasal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Institution

Charles A Keilin et al. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. .

Abstract

Objectives Sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas (SNECs) are among the rarest paranasal sinus cancers. Consensus guidelines for therapy are difficult to develop due to limited data regarding the natural history and successful treatment of these tumors. This study presents 15 years of experience treating SNEC at a single institution and a review of the literature. Design Retrospective review. Setting Academic medical center in the United States. Participants Patients diagnosed with primary SNEC. Main Outcome Measures Overall survival. Results Thirteen patients were identified and included. Overall estimated survival was 74.6% at 5 years. Ten of 13 (76.9%) patients were diagnosed with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma and three (23.1%) with intermediate or low grade. All three patients with low- or intermediate-grade cancer survived more than 10 years from their initial diagnosis (median survival: 11.6 years) and are currently alive. The four patients who died had high-grade carcinoma, and estimated overall 5-year survival for all patients with high-grade carcinomas was 65.6%. Five patients, all with high-grade carcinoma, of seven who completed primary chemoradiation therapy (CRT) required salvage resection, and 60% are alive without disease. Conclusion This cohort has a higher overall rate of survival than many recent case series and reviews. There is consensus that multimodal therapy is preferred over monotherapy, but approaches to treatment vary widely. Our approach of surgical resection as primary therapy for low-grade tumors and primary CRT for high-grade SNEC has been successful, and could indicate hope for improved survival among these patients.

Keywords: SNEC; sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma; skull base; small cell carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overall survival.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overall survival by tumor grade.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overall survival by age.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Treatment approach flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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