Chemotherapy in severe nasal polyposis--a possible beneficial effect? A report of three cases

Nasal polyposis is an inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa. Treatment has changed from surgery to an anti-inflammatory approach, but neither of these treatments addresses the underlying cause. Topical steroids and occasional use of systemic steroids in patients with nasal polyposis can frequently control the polypoid disease. In a few cases, when the disease is more aggressive, the repeated application of systemic steroids together with sinus surgery is required.

We present our experience with one case of rheumatoid arthritis and two cases with malignant diseases, all of which were treated with chemotherapy and were also accompanied by severe nasal polyposis. All of our patients had eosinophilic polypoid disease. Various chemotherapeutic treatment schemes were utilized.

During chemotherapy all three patients were markedly improved symptomatically including olfaction along with a significant reduction in their nasal polyposis. Duration of remission lasted for a few months in two cases and for three years, in a third case.

This is the first report describing the successful treatment of severe nasal polyposis with chemotherapy. Based on this experience, we suggest a phase II trial with chemotherapy, preferably "low dose" methotrexate, in patients with severe nasal polyposis.