[Cancer of the ethmoid sinus]

Ethmoid sinuses are located at the level of the anterior skull base. Seventy to 80% of the ethmoid sinus malignant tumors are adenocarcinomas. Wood dust exposure is a carcinogen agent to ethmoid adenocarcinoma. More than 90% of patients with ethmoid adenocarcinoma are woodworkers. Craniofacial computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging are always performed before treatment. It is always a multidisciplinary treatment including surgical resection followed by external radiation therapy. Some authors recommend a neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A total ethmoidectomy including the cribriform plate through a transcranial subfrontal approach is the best surgical technique. Local recurrence is the most frequent cause of failure; 5-year survival of patients with ethmoid adenocarcinoma is around 50%. A regular follow-up including clinical and radiological examination is always required.