[Maxillary sinus cancers: Prognosis and quality of life: a retrospective study of 22 cases].
OBJECTIVE
Maxillary sinus cancer is uncommon. We present a study of 22 cases of patients managed at the Nantes University Hospital for maxillary sinus cancer during the time period 1989-2002.


METHODS
Clinical and oncological characteristics of the tumors were evaluated. Treatment and results were evaluated in association with the patients' quality of life, estimated with a questionnaire survey sent to surviving patients.


RESULTS
Carcinomas predominated (68%). The TNM classification was: T2: 45.5%, T3: 45.5% and T4: 9%. 89% of necks were N0 and 9% were N1. Treatment course (determined after imaging) was surgical removal of the tumor by total maxillectomy: 77.5%; partial maxillectomy: 22.5%, associated with post-operative radiotherapy. Esthetic consequences and disabilities of patients assessed by the questionnaire pointed out that 68% of them were complaining of poor quality of life. Global survival at 12 months was 63%, 20% at 24 months and 9% at 5 years. There were no statistically significant differences between specific survivals according to T-stage nor according to histological features. The difference was significant when surgical removal of the tumour was large according to post-operative histology.


CONCLUSIONS
Authors conclude that maxillary sinus cancers exhibit poor prognosis, and focus on the necessity of quality of life assessment.
Bignoumba
C
C
Service d'O.R.L. et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, CHU Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes.
Lerouxel
E
E
Renaudin
F K
FK
Peuvrel
P
P
Beauvillain de Montreuil
C
C
Malard
O
O
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires