Outcomes for endoscopic resection of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Preliminary data suggest efficacy for the endoscopic approach for sinonasal malignancy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the endoscopic approach for the resection of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing endoscopic resection of sinonasal SCC from August 1996 to May 2004.

METHODS: Eleven patients were treated with curative intent. Demographic data, histopathology, extent of tumor involvement, and need for adjunctive radiation or chemotherapy were determined. Local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were calculated.

RESULTS: The mean age for the patient population was 62.5 (52-85) years with a male:female ratio of 8:3. Multimodality therapy including radiation or chemotherapy was used in 8 of 11 (73%) patients. Seven patients were resected using strictly an endoscopic approach, whereas four required combined endoscopic and neurosurgical resection. LR and distant metastatic rates were 20% and 0%, respectively. OS and DFS were both 91%, with mean follow-up of 31.5 (range 6-88) months.

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection in combination with multimodality therapy is an effective method for curative resection of sinonasal SCC. In this preliminary study, it facilitated complete resection with acceptable LR and DFS rates.