Transcranial resection of ethmoid sinus cancer involving the anterior skull base

We present 11 cases of ethmoid sinus careinoma treated primarily by transcranial surgical resection and followed 1(1/2) to 7 years. Morbidity and mortality following surgery has proved acceptable. Local disease control and survival prognosis of the patients have been determined primarily by the histopathologic classification of the cancer rather than by invasion of dura or orbit. Good to excellent control has been achieved in cases of adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and squamous cell careinoma, but could not be demonstrated for undifferentiated carcinoma. Alternate means of treatment, including adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are recommended for such anaplastic malignancies.