Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal tract: a clinicopathologic study of 18 cases

Abstract

Background: Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) of the nose and paranasal sinuses is a relatively rare tumor. It commonly affects subjects exposed to wood or leather dust.

Methods: The authors present the clinicopathologic findings of 18 cases of sinonasal ITACs and review the proposed histologic classifications.

Results: All patients, except one, were males; mean age was 60 years (range, 41-79); in 9 cases an occupational exposure to wood or leather dust was found. Common presenting symptoms were epistaxis, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea. Histologically, tumors were divided into four groups: well-differentiated (G1) ITACs = 3 cases; moderately differentiated (G2) ITACs = 8 cases; poorly differentiated (G3) ITACs = 2 cases; mucinous (M) ITACs = 5 cases. Immunocytochemically, 16/17 cases were positive for carcinoembryonal antigen, 1/17 for somatostatin, and 0/16 cases for gastrin.

Conclusions: Sinonasal ITACs are aggressive tumors, often diagnosed in a relatively advanced stage. Owing the close similarity of the microscopic aspects, a histologic classification of ITACs analogous to that of colonic adenocarcinomas is proposed.