Carcinoma of the maxillary sinus: report of case

A well-documented case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the right maxillary sinus has been presented. Results of initial evaluation and examination were consistent with an acute ulcer, but complete resolution did not occur when the denture was removed. Expansion of the buccal vestibule became evident, and biopsy was done. The expansion probably caused increased pressure under the denture flange, resulting in ulceration. As is so common in malignancy of the maxillary sinus, symptoms did not appear until late in the course of the disease and diagnosis was not made until the tumor was inoperable. Moreover, the initial symptoms were unusual for a tumor of the maxillary sinus. Conventional panoramic radiographs did not show any significance changes, although an advanced tumor had destroyed the lateral wall of the maxilla as confirmed on the Waters projection. We suggest that the panoramic oral radiograph is a valuable tool in evaluating disease of the maxillary sinus but that it does not replace the conventional views used to evaluate the paranasal sinuses.