title: Impact of tumour volume on prediction of progression-free survival in sinonasal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed to analyse potential prognostic factors, with emphasis on tumour volume, in determining progression free survival (PFS) for malignancies of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 106 patients with primary sinonasal malignancies treated and followed-up between March 2006 and October 2012. Possible predictive parameters for PFS were entered into univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis included age, sex, baseline tumour volume (based on MR imaging), histology type, TNM stage and prognostic groups according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis concerning the predictive value of tumour volume for recurrence was also conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main histological subgroup consisted of epithelial tumours (77%). The majority of the patients (68%) showed advanced tumour burden (AJCC stage III-IV). Lymph node involvement was present in 18 cases. The mean tumour volume was 26.6 ± 21.2 cm(3). The median PFS for all patients was 24.9 months (range: 2.5-84.5 months). The ROC curve analysis for the tumour volume showed 58.1% sensitivity and 75.4% specificity for predicting recurrence. Tumour volume, AJCC staging, T- and N- stage were significant predictors in the univariate analysis. Positive lymph node status and tumour volume remained significant and independent predictors in the multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiological tumour volume proofed to be a statistically reliable predictor of PFS. In the multivariate analysis, T-, N- and overall AJCC staging did not show significant prognostic value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hennersdorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul-Stefan
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mauz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Welz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sievert
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ernemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisdas
keywords: prognostic value; sinonasal carcinoma; tumour volume