[Revision of carcinomas in paranasal sinuses]

The annual incidence rate for paranasal sinus cancer is quite low in Europe at approximately 1 case a year per 100 000 inhabitants. The most frequent site is the maxillary sinus; in some countries such as Spain, however, carcinomas of the ethmoidal sinus complex are more prevalent. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent histological type and adenocarcinoma is the one with the best prognosis. In general terms, the association of surgery and radiotherapy continues to be the optimal therapeutic option. The inclusion of an endoscopic endonasal approach for the treatment of these lesions must be considered in very selective cases. Most authors currently accept invasion of the fat and muscles of the orbital apex and infiltration of the conjunctiva and/or sclera as an absolute indication for orbital exenteration. Lymph node involvement at diagnosis or in the course of the disease is infrequent, so prophylactic lymph node treatment would therefore not be indicated.