[Subcranial resection of malignant tumors infiltrating the anterior skull base]

Survival and quality of life after subcranial resection of malignant tumors infiltrating the anterior skull base should be evaluated.

Data were acquired retrospectively from patient charts and by telephone interview. Quality of life was assessed with the EORTC QLQ30 and H&N35 modules.

From 1996 to 2004, 19 patients (mean age 52 years, 4 woman, 15 men) were surgically treated via a subcranial approach. Fifteen patients suffered from advanced carcinoma, 3 from advanced esthesioneuroblastoma, and 1 patient had a fibrosarcoma. Fifteen patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. During the mean follow-up period of 44 months (12-109 months), 6 patients died, 1 unrelated to the tumor. The probability to survive 5 years was 50 %, the mean survival time was 72 months. Anosmia was reported by 18 of 19 patients. A tension pneumocephalus was observed in 2 patients, one with lethal outcome, decreased vision in 1 patient, loss of vision in 1, persisting diplopia in 1, deep wound infections in 2, and CSF leak in 2 patients. Quality of life was assessed on the average 36 months following end of therapy and did not differ substantially from other patients with head-neck malignancies.

Most, malignant tumors infiltrating the anterior skull base can be treated curatively. The treatment outcome is well comparable to other head and neck tumors of corresponding stage.