[The role of extensive Denkers operation in combined therapy for maxillary sinus carcinoma]

We had a total of 372 patients with maxillary carcinoma in the period from 1972 to 1983. 108 patients were treated with 50Gy irradiation, intraarterial infusion of 2000 mg 5-FU and extensive Denker's operation in combination. 222 patients were treated with 50 Gy. irradiation and intraarterial infusion of 2000 mg 5-FU. The remaining 42 patients were treated with radio-therapy alone. The 5-year survival in these three groups was 48%, 43%, and 17%, respectively. The cumulative local control of the two former groups was 51%, and 33%, respectively. Total maxillectomy was performed as a second treatment only in 24 of 108 patients (22%) of the first group. Nine of them survived for 5 years and 15 died. On the other hand, 84 of 108 patients not treated with total maxillectomy consisted of 41 five year survivors and 43 deads. From the above, we believe that extensive Denker's operation plays a role to increase success rate of initial treatment, decrease in the necessity of total maxillectomy and improve survival rate, but its indication is limited.