Clinical characteristics and outcome of non-squamous cell malignancies of the maxillary sinus.
OBJECTIVE
A significant paucity of data exists on non-squamous cancers of the maxillary sinus. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these tumors.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 42 patients with complete available data and a diagnosis of non-squamous cancer of the maxillary sinus treated with curative intent between 1994 and 1999 were performed. Information recorded included demography, clinical characteristics, histopathological findings, treatment methods, and outcome. Survival was also compared with that of squamous cancers of the maxillary sinus.


RESULTS
The majority of patients presented with locally advanced disease (83%). Malignancies were 14 sarcomas, 8 adenoid cystic carcinoma, 8 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 2 adenocarcinoma, and 10 miscellaneous tumors. Fifteen (35.7%) patients developed recurrent disease and six developed distant metastases. The most common site of recurrence was local (32.5%). The overall mean survival was 71.7 months and 5-year overall and disease-free survival was 51% and 48%, respectively. In contrast, the mean survival in the selected 62 patients with squamous cancers was 40 months and 5-year survival was 29% (P = 0.01). Tumor stage, histological, and treatment type was not associated with significant survival advantage.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with non-squamous cancers of the maxillary sinus present with locally advanced disease. Local tumor progression remains a significant pattern of failure; however, unlike squamous cancers they have a better prognosis.
Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. sajidshafique@rediffmail.com
Sajid S
SS
Qureshi
Devendra A
DA
Chaukar
Sanjay D
SD
Talole
Anil K
AK
Dcruz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome