[Squamous cell carcinoma of naso-ethmoid sinus: Analysis of 146 cases]

To evaluate the treatment outcome of different therapeutic modalities for squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and ethmoid sinus and prognostic factors.

One hundred and forty-six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and ethmoid sinus treated from 1990 to 2007 were reviewed. Of the 146 cases, 28 were at stage I or II; 46 stage III; 72 stage IV. Forty-one patients were treated with preoperative radiation plus surgery (R + S), 22 patients with surgery plus postoperative radiation (S + R), 5 patients with surgery alone (SA), 78 patients with radiotherapy alone (RA).

The overall 5 year survival rate of 146 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and ethmoid sinus was 49.1%. The 5 year survival rate of the patients at stage I and II was 95.7%, while the rate was 59.8% in the patients at stage III and 28.2% in the patients at stage IV (χ(2) = 24.15, P < 0.05). The 5 year survival rate was 57.7% in R + S group, 60.4% in S + R group, 100% in SA group, and 38.8% in RA group, respectively (P > 0.05). The 5 years survival rate of N+ patients was lower than that of N0 (χ(2) = 12.326, P < 0.05). Local recurrence and distant metastasis were main causes of death. Cox analysis showed TNM stage and differentiation of tumor were independent significant prognostic factors.

The higher survival rate of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and ethmoid sinus was obtained from combined therapy R + S or S + R. SA gave ideal results for early lesions (stage I and II).