Epithelial carcinoma of the nasal fossa

Epithelial carcinoma of the nasal cavity and vestibule occurs relatively rarely and is primarily treated with surgical excision, radiation therapy, or a combination of these two treatment modalities. This review describes the treatment methods and results of patients seen at the Indiana University School of Medicine from 1963 through 1983 in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Otolaryngology. Using the medical records of 34 patients, this retrospective study reviews the clinical significance of histology, anatomical location of primary tumors, and therapeutic results, including the pattern of treatment failures of primary tumors. The results of radiation therapy alone compare favorably with the results of surgery alone. A review of the literature and this study indicate that patients receiving a combination of surgery and irradiation face a better prognosis than those who experience surgery or irradiation alone.