[Analysis of the late curative effect of 432 cases with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus]

To study the late curative effect of different methods used in the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus (SCMS).

A retrospective analysis of 432 cases with SCMS was done. Among them, 141 cases were in stage III, 291 in stage IV, 244 were male, 188 were female, and the age ranged from 14 to 87 years. Radiotherapy, operation only and the combined treatment (radiation plus operation) were adopted.

The 5-year survival rates were 15.6% in radiation group, 21.7% in operation group, and 40.1% in combined group (40% in the preoperative irradiation group, and 43% in the postoperative irradiation group). The 5-year survival rates were 31.7%, 46.6% and 20% respectively for those involving structures above, below or both above and below the Ohngren line. Among the 238 cases with poor curative effect, 198 had local recurrence.

Combined treatment was the best choice for advanced SCMS. There were no significant differences in the survival rates between preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy groups. The survival rate might be improved by preoperative radiotherapy with a dose of 50 Gy, or postoperative radiotherapy with doses of 60-70 Gy. The prognosis for those with the tumor located below the Ohngren line was much better than those above the line and those both above and below the line. The key to the successful treatment for maxillary sinus carcinoma is to control the local recurrence effectively.