title: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma with orbital invasion: report of three cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report three patients with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) that invaded the orbit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective small case series. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of three patients with SNUC were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients with SNUC that invaded the orbit were evaluated. A biopsy was performed on the tumors, which were composed of small, hyperchromatic cells with numerous mitoses and areas of necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cytokeratins AE1.3, epithelial membrane antigen, and neuron-specific enolase in all three tumors. Electron microscopic examination showed absence of neurosecretory granules and presence of basement membrane production. Two patients were treated with surgical resection and postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation. One patient was treated with preoperative radiation and chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is a high-grade tumor that arises in the nasal and paranasal sinuses and may invade the orbit. SNUC should be distinguished from other small, round, blue cell tumors, in particular, esthesioneuroblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Grist
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Grossniklaus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018396:Mucin-1; D007633:Keratins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase