Nonsquamous cell malignancies of the paranasal sinuses

Nonsquamous cell malignancies represent half of paranasal sinus cancers. Since 1975, 103 patients have been treated at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation for sinus malignancies. Forty-nine patients had nonsquamous cell malignancies: 12 (25%) sarcoma, 10 (20%) adenoid cystic carcinoma, 9 (18%) adenocarcinoma, 9 (18%) lymphoma, and 9 (18%) miscellaneous tumors. Ten patients presented with T1 or T2 disease at the primary site, 16 with T3, and 23 with T4. Ten patients had primary ethmoid malignancies; the remainder of the tumors originated in the maxillary sinus. Five patients had evidence of regional or distant metastases at presentation. Twelve patients were free of disease after initial management. Three patients with recurrent disease were salvaged with additional therapy. Two patients died of complications in the immediate postoperative period. Patients with less extensive primary lesions have an improved prognosis. Survival was similar for the different histologic diagnoses.