title: Long term control of a maxillary sinus mucoepidermoid carcinoma with low dose radiation therapy: a case report.
abstract: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the maxillary sinus is a rare malignancy of the head and neck. The location of this tumour near vital structures and its large size at presentation makes surgical resection with negative margins challenging. In incurable cases, relief from symptoms such as epistaxis may be achieved with radiation therapy. We present a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the maxillary sinus that was effectively palliated with a short course of radiation therapy, achieving complete cessation of bleeding, decrease in tumour size, and long term control. We surveyed the literature on mucoepidermoid carcinomas and propose that some tumours may be particularly radiosensitive, benefiting from even short courses of radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Horia.vulpe@rmp.uhn.on.ca.
authors.forename: Horia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vulpe
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Bayardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perez-Ordonez
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hope
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome