A National Cancer Database Analysis of Sinonasal Malignant Myoepithelial Carcinoma Outcomes

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) is a rare salivary gland tumor that can occur in the sinonasal cavity with poor outcomes. There are limited data on sinonasal outcomes to guide management. We sought to use the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to better define treatment outcomes in MECA.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the NCDB from 2004 to 2016 for patients with MECA of the sinonasal cavity. Patient demographic, treatment, and survival information were extracted from the database. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier estimates, log-rank tests, and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were used to assess overall survival (OS).

A total of 38 patients were included. The average age was 60.7 ± 18.2 years and male patients represented 47.4% of the cohort. Most patients were White (n = 26, 68.4%) and the majority of patients had either private insurance (n = 20, 52.6%) or Medicare (n = 15, 39.5%). The primary site of most tumors was nasal cavity (n = 19, 50%), followed by maxillary sinus (n = 16, 42.1%). Most tumors were >4 cm (n = 17, 44.7%). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year OS was 89.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80.7%-99.8%), 63.6% (95% CI: 49.4%-82%), and 46.4% (95% CI: 31%-69.5%), respectively. The median survival for the overall cohort was 85.8 months. Medicare insurance was associated with a decreased OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.2; 95% CI: 2.88-23.4, P < .001). Patients who underwent surgery had a significant survival benefit (HR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.21, P < .001).

MECA of the sinonasal cavity is a rare tumor with poorly understood behavior. Data from the NCDB suggests that it is a relatively aggressive tumor with surgical management associated with better outcomes. This analysis is limited by the small sample size and further research into optimal treatment regimens is needed.