Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Health Professional Information [NCI]

General Information About Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Incidence and Mortality

The majority of tumors of the paranasal sinuses present with advanced disease, and cure rates are generally poor (≤50%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequent type of malignant tumor in the nose and paranasal sinuses (70%-80%). Papillomas are distinct entities that may undergo malignant degeneration. The cancers grow within the bony confines of the sinuses and are often asymptomatic until they erode and invade adjacent structures.[1,2,3]

Nodal involvement is infrequent. Although metastases from both the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses may occur, and distant metastases are found in 20% to 40% of patients who do not respond to treatment, locoregional recurrence accounts for the majority of cancer deaths since most patients die of direct extension into vital areas of the skull or of rapidly recurring local disease.

Cancers of the maxillary sinus are the most common of the paranasal sinus cancers. Tumors of the ethmoid sinuses, nasal vestibule, and nasal cavity are less common, and tumors of the sphenoid and frontal sinuses are rare.

Anatomy

The major lymphatic drainage route of the maxillary antrum is through the lateral and inferior collecting trunks to the first station submandibular, parotid, and jugulodigastric nodes and through the superoposterior trunk to retropharyngeal and jugular nodes.

Clinical Evaluation and Follow-up

Pretreatment evaluation and staging, as well as the need for multidisciplinary planning of treatment, is very important. Generally, the first opportunity to treat patients with head and neck cancers is the most effective, though occasionally salvage surgery or salvage radiation therapy, as appropriate, may be successful. Since most treatment failures occur within 2 years, the follow-up of patients must be frequent and meticulous during this period. In addition, because nearly 33% of these patients develop second primary cancers in the aerodigestive tract, a lifetime of follow-up is essential.

Carcinogenesis and Risk Factors

Some data indicate that various industrial exposures may be related to cancer of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity. The risk of a second primary head and neck tumor is considerably increased.[4] A subgroup has shown that paranasal sinus and nasal cavity SCC are associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and that HPV-positive patients may have a better prognosis than those who are HPV-negative.[5]

References:

1. Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG: Treatment of head and neck cancer. In: DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011, pp 729-80.
2. Laramore GE, ed.: Radiation Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1989.
3. Thawley SE, Panje WR, Batsakis JG, et al., eds.: Comprehensive Management of Head and Neck Tumors. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, 1999.
4. Johns ME, Kaplan MJ: Advances in the management of paranasal sinus tumors. In: Wolf GT, ed.: Head and Neck Oncology. Boston, Mass: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1984, pp 27-52.
5. Alos L, Moyano S, Nadal A, et al.: Human papillomaviruses are identified in a subgroup of sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas with favorable outcome. Cancer 115 (12): 2701-9, 2009.

Cellular Classification of Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

The most common cell type for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers is squamous cell carcinoma. Minor salivary gland tumors comprise 10% to 15% of these neoplasms. Malignant melanoma presents in <1% of neoplasms in this region. Some 5% of cases are malignant lymphomas.[1,2]

Esthesioneuroepithelioma, sometimes confused with undifferentiated carcinoma or undifferentiated lymphoma, arises from the olfactory nerves.[3]

Chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and most soft tissue sarcomas have been reported for this region.

Inverting papilloma is considered a low-grade benign tumor with a tendency to recur and, in a small percentage of cases, to transform into a malignant tumor.

Midline granuloma, a progressively destructive condition, involves this region as well.

References:

1. Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG: Treatment of head and neck cancer. In: DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011, pp 729-80.
2. Goldenberg D, Golz A, Fradis M, et al.: Malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses: a retrospective review of 291 cases. Ear Nose Throat J 80 (4): 272-7, 2001.
3. Jethanamest D, Morris LG, Sikora AG, et al.: Esthesioneuroblastoma: a population-based analysis of survival and prognostic factors. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133 (3): 276-80, 2007.

Stage Information for Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

The staging systems are clinical estimates of the extent of disease. The assessment of the tumor is based on inspection, palpation, and direct endoscopy when necessary. The tumor must be confirmed histologically, and any other pathological data obtained on biopsy may be included. The appropriate nodal drainage areas are examined by careful palpation. Computed tomographic and/or magnetic resonance imaging studies are generally required to adequately evaluate tumor extent prior to attempted surgical resection or definitive radiation therapy. If a patient relapses, complete restaging must be done to select the appropriate additional therapy.[1,2]

Definitions of TNM

Staging of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus carcinomas is not as well established as for other head and neck tumors. For cancer of the maxillary sinus, the nasal cavity, and the ethmoid sinus, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has designated staging by TNM classification.[3]

References:

1. Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG: Treatment of head and neck cancer. In: DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011, pp 729-80.
2. Laramore GE, ed.: Radiation Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1989.
3. Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 69-78.

Treatment Option Overview

Except for T1 mucosal carcinomas, the accepted method of treatment is a combination of radiation therapy and surgery. The incidence of lymph node metastases is generally low (approximately 20% of all cases). Thus, routine radical neck dissection or elective neck radiation therapy is recommended only for patients presenting with positive nodes.

For patients with operable tumors, radical surgery is generally performed first to remove the bulk of the tumor and to establish drainage of the affected sinus(es). This is followed by postoperative radiation therapy. Some institutions continue to give a full dose of radiation therapy preoperatively for all stage II and stage III tumors and to operate 4 to 6 weeks later.[1,2,3] A review of published clinical results of radical radiation therapy for head and neck cancer suggests a significant loss of local control when the administration of radiation therapy was prolonged; therefore, lengthening of standard treatment schedules should be avoided whenever possible.[4]

Surgery

Surgical exploration may be required to determine operability.

Destruction of the base of skull (i.e., anterior cranial fossa), cavernous sinus, or the pterygoid process; infiltration of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx; or nonresectable lymph node metastases are relative contraindications to surgery. Surgical approaches include fenestration with removal of the bulk tumor, which is usually followed by radiation therapy or block resection of the upper jaw. A combined craniofacial approach, including resection of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa is used with success in selected patients.[5] Removal of the eye is performed if the orbit is extensively invaded by cancer. Clinically positive nodes, if resectable, may be treated with radical neck dissection.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy must be carried to high doses for any significant probability of permanent control. The treatment volume must include all of the maxillary antrum and involved hemiparanasal sinus and contiguous areas. The orbit and its contents are excluded except under unusual circumstances. Lymph nodes of the neck, when palpable, should be treated in conjunction with treatment of advanced carcinomas of the antrum. This may be unnecessary for early tumors.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated a high incidence (>30%-40%) of hypothyroidism in patients who have received external-beam radiation therapy to the entire thyroid gland or to the pituitary gland. Thyroid function testing of patients should be considered prior to therapy and as part of posttreatment follow-up.[6,7]

Recurrent Disease

For patients with recurrent disease, chemotherapy trials should be considered. Chemotherapy for recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck has been shown to be efficacious as palliation and may improve quality of life and length of survival. Various drug combinations including cisplatin, fluorouracil, and methotrexate are effective.[8,9]

Treatment of tumors of the paranasal sinuses and of the nasal cavity should be planned on an individual basis because of the complexity involved.

References:

1. Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG: Treatment of head and neck cancer. In: DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011, pp 729-80.
2. Laramore GE, ed.: Radiation Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1989.
3. Thawley SE, Panje WR, Batsakis JG, et al., eds.: Comprehensive Management of Head and Neck Tumors. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, 1999.
4. Fowler JF, Lindstrom MJ: Loss of local control with prolongation in radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 23 (2): 457-67, 1992.
5. Ganly I, Patel SG, Singh B, et al.: Craniofacial resection for malignant paranasal sinus tumors: Report of an International Collaborative Study. Head Neck 27 (7): 575-84, 2005.
6. Turner SL, Tiver KW, Boyages SC: Thyroid dysfunction following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 31 (2): 279-83, 1995.
7. Constine LS: What else don't we know about the late effects of radiation in patients treated for head and neck cancer? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 31 (2): 427-9, 1995.
8. Jacobs C, Lyman G, Velez-García E, et al.: A phase III randomized study comparing cisplatin and fluorouracil as single agents and in combination for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J Clin Oncol 10 (2): 257-63, 1992.
9. Schornagel JH, Verweij J, de Mulder PH, et al.: Randomized phase III trial of edatrexate versus methotrexate in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Cooperative Group study. J Clin Oncol 13 (7): 1649-55, 1995.

Stage I Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Stage I disease includes small lesions.

Standard treatment options:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors (small lesions of the infrastructure):
   • Surgical resection.
   • Postoperative radiation therapy should be considered for close margins (particularly in tumors of the suprastructure).
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors (lesions are usually extensive when diagnosed):[1,2,3]
   • Generally, external-beam radiation therapy alone is used for unresectable lesions.
   • Well-localized lesions can be resected, but it generally requires resection of the ethmoids, maxilla, and orbit with consideration for a craniofacial approach.
   • If surgery can be done with good functional and cosmetic results, postoperative radiation therapy should be given even with clear surgical margins.
3. For sphenoid sinus tumors:
   • Treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancers, primarily radiation therapy. (Refer to the Stage I Nasopharyngeal Cancer section in the PDQ summary on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment for more information.)
4. For nasal cavity tumors (squamous cell carcinomas), treatment preferences are either surgery or radiation therapy with equal cure rates:
   • Surgery for tumors of the septum.
   • Radiation therapy for tumors of the lateral and superior walls.[4]
   • Surgery plus radiation therapy for tumors of the septal and lateral walls.[5]
5. For inverting papilloma:
   • Surgical excision.
   • Re-excision for surgery failures.
   • Radical surgery may eventually be necessary.
   • Radiation has been used successfully for surgical failures.
6. For melanomas and sarcomas:
   • Surgical excision if possible.
   • Combined surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are recommended for rhabdomyosarcoma.
7. For midline granuloma:
   • Radiation therapy to nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
8. For nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Surgery or radiation may be performed. If lesions are extremely small, surgery is preferred provided that no deformity is expected and a need for reconstruction is not anticipated. Radiation therapy is preferred for other small lesions.[6,7] Treatment of the ipsilateral neck should be considered.

Current Clinical Trials

Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage I paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI website.

References:

1. Kraus DH, Sterman BM, Levine HL, et al.: Factors influencing survival in ethmoid sinus cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118 (4): 367-72, 1992.
2. Shah JP: Surgery of the anterior skull base for malignant tumors. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 53 (3): 191-4, 1999.
3. Cantù G, Solero CL, Mariani L, et al.: Anterior craniofacial resection for malignant ethmoid tumors--a series of 91 patients. Head Neck 21 (3): 185-91, 1999.
4. Hawkins RB, Wynstra JH, Pilepich MV, et al.: Carcinoma of the nasal cavity--results of primary and adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 15 (5): 1129-33, 1988.
5. Ang KK, Jiang GL, Frankenthaler RA, et al.: Carcinomas of the nasal cavity. Radiother Oncol 24 (3): 163-8, 1992.
6. Levendag PC, Pomp J: Radiation therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 19 (6): 1363-7, 1990.
7. Wong CS, Cummings BJ: The place of radiation therapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. A review. Acta Oncol 27 (3): 203-8, 1988.

Stage II Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Stage II disease includes small and moderately advanced lesions.

Standard treatment options:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • Surgical resection with high-dose preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy.
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors (lesions are usually extensive when diagnosed):[1,2,3]
   • Generally, external-beam radiation therapy alone is used and produces better overall results than surgery.
   • Well-localized lesions can be resected, but resection of the ethmoids, maxilla, and orbit, often with a combined neurosurgical sinus craniofacial approach, is generally required.
   • If surgery can be done with good functional and cosmetic results, postoperative radiation therapy should be given even with clear surgical margins.
3. For sphenoid sinus tumors:
   • Treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancers, primarily radiation therapy. (Refer to the Stage II Nasopharyngeal Cancer section in the PDQ summary on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment for more information.) Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
4. For nasal cavity tumors (squamous cell carcinomas), treatment preferences are either surgery or radiation therapy, which have equal cure rates:[4]
   • Surgery or radiation therapy for tumors of the septum.
   • Radiation therapy for tumors of the lateral and superior walls. Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
   • Surgery plus radiation therapy for tumors of the septal and lateral walls.[5]
5. For inverting papilloma:
   • Surgical excision.
   • Re-excision for surgery failures.
   • Radiation therapy for radical surgery failures may eventually be necessary.
6. For melanomas and sarcomas:
   • Surgical excision if possible.
   • Combined surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are recommended for rhabdomyosarcoma.
7. For midline granuloma:
   • Radiation therapy to nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
8. For nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Surgery or radiation therapy may be performed. If tumors are extremely small, surgery is preferred provided that no deformity is expected and a need for reconstruction is not anticipated. Radiation therapy is preferred for other small lesions.[6,7] Treatment of the neck should be considered.

Current Clinical Trials

Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage II paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI website.

References:

1. Kraus DH, Sterman BM, Levine HL, et al.: Factors influencing survival in ethmoid sinus cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118 (4): 367-72, 1992.
2. Cantù G, Solero CL, Mariani L, et al.: Anterior craniofacial resection for malignant ethmoid tumors--a series of 91 patients. Head Neck 21 (3): 185-91, 1999.
3. Shah JP: Surgery of the anterior skull base for malignant tumors. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 53 (3): 191-4, 1999.
4. Hawkins RB, Wynstra JH, Pilepich MV, et al.: Carcinoma of the nasal cavity--results of primary and adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 15 (5): 1129-33, 1988.
5. Ang KK, Jiang GL, Frankenthaler RA, et al.: Carcinomas of the nasal cavity. Radiother Oncol 24 (3): 163-8, 1992.
6. Levendag PC, Pomp J: Radiation therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 19 (6): 1363-7, 1990.
7. Wong CS, Cummings BJ: The place of radiation therapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. A review. Acta Oncol 27 (3): 203-8, 1988.

Stage III Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Stage III disease includes small and moderately advanced lesions.

Standard treatment options:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • Surgical resection with high-dose preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy.
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors:[1,2,3]
   • Generally a craniofacial resection in combination with postoperative radiation therapy.
3. For sphenoid sinus tumors:
   • Treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancers, primarily radiation therapy. (Refer to the Stage III Nasopharyngeal Cancer section in the PDQ summary on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment for more information.)
   • Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
4. For nasal cavity tumors (squamous cell carcinomas [SCC]):
   • Surgery alone.
   • Radiation therapy alone.[4] Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
   • Combined surgery and radiation therapy (postoperative radiation therapy is preferred).[4,5]
5. For inverting papilloma:
   • Surgical excision.
   • Re-excision for surgery failures.
   • Radiation therapy or radical surgery may eventually be necessary.
6. For melanomas and sarcomas:
   • Surgical excision if possible, otherwise consider radiation therapy.
   • Combined surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are recommended for rhabdomyosarcoma.
7. For midline granuloma:
   • Radiation therapy to nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
8. For nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Generally, radiation is preferred to minimize deformity.[6] External-beam (photons or electrons) and/or interstitial implantation can be used. Surgery is reserved for salvage.

Treatment options under clinical evaluation:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • Superfractionated preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy.[7]
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors, nasal cavity tumors (SCC), and nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Clinical trials using new drug combinations for advanced tumors should be considered to evaluate chemotherapy preoperatively or before radiation therapy, or as adjuvant therapy after surgery or after combined modality therapy.

Current Clinical Trials

Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage III paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI website.

References:

1. Kraus DH, Sterman BM, Levine HL, et al.: Factors influencing survival in ethmoid sinus cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118 (4): 367-72, 1992.
2. Cantù G, Solero CL, Mariani L, et al.: Anterior craniofacial resection for malignant ethmoid tumors--a series of 91 patients. Head Neck 21 (3): 185-91, 1999.
3. Shah JP: Surgery of the anterior skull base for malignant tumors. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 53 (3): 191-4, 1999.
4. Hawkins RB, Wynstra JH, Pilepich MV, et al.: Carcinoma of the nasal cavity--results of primary and adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 15 (5): 1129-33, 1988.
5. Ang KK, Jiang GL, Frankenthaler RA, et al.: Carcinomas of the nasal cavity. Radiother Oncol 24 (3): 163-8, 1992.
6. Wong CS, Cummings BJ: The place of radiation therapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. A review. Acta Oncol 27 (3): 203-8, 1988.
7. Johnson CR, Schmidt-Ullrich RK, Wazer DE: Concomitant boost technique using accelerated superfractionated radiation therapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer 69 (11): 2749-54, 1992.

Stage IV Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Stage IV disease includes advanced lesions.

Standard treatment options:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • High-dose radiation therapy is used because extension to base of skull and nasopharynx is a potential, but not absolute, contraindication to surgery. If radiation therapy is to be used alone, localized drainage of the sinus(es) must be established before initiating radiation therapy treatments.
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors:[1,2,3]
   • Generally a craniofacial resection in combination with preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy.
   • Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered for patients with inoperable tumors.
3. For sphenoid sinus tumors:
   • Treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancers, primarily radiation therapy. (Refer to the Stage IV Nasopharyngeal Cancer section in the PDQ summary on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment for more information.)
   • Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
4. For nasal cavity tumors (squamous cell carcinomas):
   • Surgery alone.
   • Radiation alone.[4] Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.
   • Combined surgery and radiation therapy (postoperative radiation therapy is preferred).[4]
5. For inverting papilloma:
   • Surgical excision.
   • Re-excision for surgery failures.
   • Radiation therapy or radical surgery may eventually be necessary.
6. For melanomas and sarcomas:
   • Surgical excision if possible.
   • Appropriate radiation and various chemotherapy agents should be considered.
7. For midline granuloma:
   • Radiation therapy to nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
8. For nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Generally, radiation is preferred to minimize deformity. External-beam (i.e., photons or electrons) and/or interstitial implantation can be used. Surgery is reserved for salvage. Treatment of the neck should be considered.

Treatment options under clinical evaluation:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • Superfractionated radiation therapy.[5]
2. For maxillary sinus tumors, ethmoid sinus tumors, nasal cavity tumors, and nasal vestibule tumors:
   • Clinical trials for advanced tumors should be considered to evaluate chemotherapy preoperatively or before radiation therapy, as is adjuvant therapy after surgery or after combined modality therapy.
   • Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be considered.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy as employed in clinical trials has been used to shrink tumors and to render them more definitively treatable with either surgery or radiation. This chemotherapy is given prior to the other modalities; therefore, the designation of neoadjuvant is used to distinguish it from standard adjuvant therapy, which is given after or during definitive therapy with radiation or after surgery. Many drug combinations have been used in neoadjuvant chemotherapy.[6,7,8]

Current Clinical Trials

Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage IV paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI website.

References:

1. Kraus DH, Sterman BM, Levine HL, et al.: Factors influencing survival in ethmoid sinus cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118 (4): 367-72, 1992.
2. Cantù G, Solero CL, Mariani L, et al.: Anterior craniofacial resection for malignant ethmoid tumors--a series of 91 patients. Head Neck 21 (3): 185-91, 1999.
3. Shah JP: Surgery of the anterior skull base for malignant tumors. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 53 (3): 191-4, 1999.
4. Hawkins RB, Wynstra JH, Pilepich MV, et al.: Carcinoma of the nasal cavity--results of primary and adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 15 (5): 1129-33, 1988.
5. Johnson CR, Schmidt-Ullrich RK, Wazer DE: Concomitant boost technique using accelerated superfractionated radiation therapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer 69 (11): 2749-54, 1992.
6. Stupp R, Weichselbaum RR, Vokes EE: Combined modality therapy of head and neck cancer. Semin Oncol 21 (3): 349-58, 1994.
7. Al-Sarraf M: Head and neck cancer: chemotherapy concepts. Semin Oncol 15 (1): 70-85, 1988.
8. Dimery IW, Hong WK: Overview of combined modality therapies for head and neck cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 85 (2): 95-111, 1993.

Recurrent Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Chemotherapy for recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer has shown promise. Chemotherapy may be indicated where there is recurrence in either distant or local disease after primary surgery or radiation, and when there is residual disease after primary treatment.[1,2] Survival may be improved in those achieving a complete response to chemotherapy.[3] Combined modality therapy with platinum and radiation therapy has been used in trials such as UMCC-8810.[4]

Standard treatment options:

1. For maxillary sinus tumors:
   • After surgery, radiation therapy or craniofacial resection with postoperative radiation therapy.
   • After radiation therapy, craniofacial resection if indicated.
   • Chemotherapy should be considered after failure of the above.
2. For ethmoid sinus tumors:[5,6,7]
   • After limited surgery, craniofacial resection or radiation therapy or both.
   • After radiation therapy, craniofacial resection.
   • Chemotherapy should be considered after failure of the above.
3. For sphenoid sinus tumors:
   • Treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancers, primarily radiation therapy.
   • Chemotherapy should be considered after failure of the above.
4. For nasal cavity tumors (squamous cell carcinomas) salvage is possible in approximately 25% of patients:
   • For failure after radiation therapy, craniofacial resection.
   • For failure after surgery, radiation therapy.
   • Chemotherapy should be considered after failure of the above.
5. For inverting papilloma:
   • Surgical excision.
   • Re-excision for surgery failures.
   • Radical surgery or radiation therapy may eventually be necessary.
6. For melanomas and sarcomas:
   • Surgical excision if possible.
   • Appropriate chemotherapy geared specifically to cell type. (Refer to the Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Cancer section and the Recurrent Major Salivary Gland Cancer section of the PDQ summaries on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment and Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment, respectively, for more information.)
7. For midline granuloma:
   • Radiation therapy to nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
8. For nasal vestibule tumors:
   • For radiation therapy failures, surgery.
   • For surgery failures, radiation therapy or a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.
   • Chemotherapy should be considered after failure of the above.

Treatment options under clinical evaluation:

• For maxillary sinus tumors, ethmoid sinus tumors, nasal cavity tumors, and nasal vestibule tumors, clinical trials using chemotherapy should be considered.[8,9]

Current Clinical Trials

Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with recurrent paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI website.

References:

1. Kies MS, Levitan N, Hong WK: Chemotherapy of head and neck cancer. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 18 (3): 533-41, 1985.
2. LoRusso P, Tapazoglou E, Kish JA, et al.: Chemotherapy for paranasal sinus carcinoma. A 10-year experience at Wayne State University. Cancer 62 (1): 1-5, 1988.
3. Al-Kourainy K, Kish J, Ensley J, et al.: Achievement of superior survival for histologically negative versus histologically positive clinically complete responders to cisplatin combination in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Cancer 59 (2): 233-8, 1987.
4. Al-Sarraf M, Pajak TF, Marcial VA, et al.: Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cisplatin in inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. An RTOG Study. Cancer 59 (2): 259-65, 1987.
5. Kraus DH, Sterman BM, Levine HL, et al.: Factors influencing survival in ethmoid sinus cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 118 (4): 367-72, 1992.
6. Cantù G, Solero CL, Mariani L, et al.: Anterior craniofacial resection for malignant ethmoid tumors--a series of 91 patients. Head Neck 21 (3): 185-91, 1999.
7. Shah JP: Surgery of the anterior skull base for malignant tumors. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg 53 (3): 191-4, 1999.
8. Brasnu D, Laccourreye O, Bassot V, et al.: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined resection for ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma reaching and/or invading the skull base. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 122 (7): 765-8, 1996.
9. Licitra L, Locati LD, Cavina R, et al.: Primary chemotherapy followed by anterior craniofacial resection and radiotherapy for paranasal cancer. Ann Oncol 14 (3): 367-72, 2003.

Changes to This Summary (09 / 25 / 2015)

The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.

An editorial change was made to this summary.

This summary is written and maintained by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of NCI. The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or NIH. More information about summary policies and the role of the PDQ Editorial Boards in maintaining the PDQ summaries can be found on the About This PDQ Summary and PDQ® - NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database pages.

About This PDQ Summary

Purpose of This Summary

This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the treatment of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians who care for cancer patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.

Reviewers and Updates

This summary is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Board members review recently published articles each month to determine whether an article should:

• be discussed at a meeting,
• be cited with text, or
• replace or update an existing article that is already cited.

Changes to the summaries are made through a consensus process in which Board members evaluate the strength of the evidence in the published articles and determine how the article should be included in the summary.

The lead reviewers for Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer Treatment are:

• Scharukh Jalisi, MD, FACS (Boston University Medical Center)
• Minh Tam Truong, MD (Boston University Medical Center)

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Levels of Evidence

Some of the reference citations in this summary are accompanied by a level-of-evidence designation. These designations are intended to help readers assess the strength of the evidence supporting the use of specific interventions or approaches. The PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board uses a formal evidence ranking system in developing its level-of-evidence designations.

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The preferred citation for this PDQ summary is:

PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. PDQ Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated <MM/DD/YYYY>. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/paranasal-sinus-treatment-pdq. Accessed <MM/DD/YYYY>. [PMID: 26389272]

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Disclaimer

Based on the strength of the available evidence, treatment options may be described as either "standard" or "under clinical evaluation." These classifications should not be used as a basis for insurance reimbursement determinations. More information on insurance coverage is available on Cancer.gov on the Managing Cancer Care page.

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Last Revised: 2015-09-25