Abstract
Objective Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the paranasal sinuses is usually diagnosed at an
advanced stage, making curative therapy difficult. The goal of this study was to evaluate
the management and outcomes of patients with SCC treated at our institution.
Methods In a population-based consecutive prospective cohort, we conducted an analysis of
all patients treated for SCC between 1988 and 2017.
Results A total of 72 patients were included, follow-up was 100%. Mean follow-up was 57 months
for the entire cohort, and 108 months for patients with no evidence of disease. Eighty-two
percent of all patients had high-stage (T4) disease. Fifty-seven patients underwent
treatment with curative intent; consisting of surgery with or without oncologic treatment
in 34, and of oncologic treatment only in 23 cases. Fifteen patients received palliative
treatment. The rates of overall survival for the entire cohort were 55% at 2, 41%
at 5, and 32% at 10 years, and corresponding disease-specific survival (DSS) rates
were 55, 45, and 34%, respectively. DSS rates after surgical treatment with curative
intent were 81% at 2, 65% at 5, and 54% at 10 years. Retromaxillary involvement and
nonradical surgery were negative prognostic factors. Best survival was achieved with
the combination of radical surgery and adjuvant oncologic treatment.
Conclusion Surgical resection with a curative intent yielded 65% at 5-year DSS even in this
cohort of patients with high-stage SCC and is still considered as the treatment of
choice, preferably in combination with adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Keywords
squamous cell carcinoma - survival - outcome - head and neck surgery - neurosurgery
