Schneiderian papillomas and carcinomas: a review

The ectodermally derived Schneiderian mucosa gives rise to an extremely varied collection of benign and malignant neoplasms. Prototypical of these are the Schneiderian papillomas (inverted, fungiform, and cylindrical cell) and their malignant counterparts. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is currently the leading candidate as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of the papillomas. Carcinomas arise in association with the papillomas in about a 10% frequency. The carcinomas may be synchronous or metachronous. Recurrences of the papillomas are the bane of surgeons. The magnitude of the recurrences is directly proportional to the completeness of removal with the best results obtained by techniques that afford the best operative exposure. A comparison of results by different surgical procedures is presented. Histologic features sought to predict recurrences or malignant transformation have, by and large, not been helpful. Keratinization and hyperkeratosis in papillomas, however, are suggested to be sufficiently ominous as to warrant further study.