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Updated: May 8, 2026

Identification of OTX1 and OTX2 As Two Possible Molecular Markers for Sinonasal Carcinomas and Olfactory Neuroblastomas
Published on: February 28, 2019
Changing epidemiology of sinonasal cancer in the United States
Christian M Kabongo1, Trevor Bowman1, Jeremiah Tracy2
1Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
Objectives:
Prior studies on sinonasal malignancy rely on limited and now-outdated data. Our objective is to assess the current rates, subsite distribution, and trends of sinonasal malignancies in the United States.
Methods:
We analyzed sinonasal malignancies (2001-2021) using SEER*Stat and the US Cancer Statistics Database, which together cover over 97% of new cancers. Joinpoint Regression 5.3.0 calculated annual incidence rates and average annual percentage change.
Results:
Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (68.57%), followed by adenocarcinoma (16.05%). The primary sites were the nasal cavity (51.57%) and maxillary sinus (31.72%). Overall age-adjusted incidence remained stable (0.4759 to 0.4772 per 100,000, -0.19% annually, p < 0.05). Nasal cavity cancer increased (0.78% per year, p < 0.05), while maxillary sinus cancer declined (-1.29%, p < 0.05). Squamous cell carcinoma (-0.47%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (-0.92%) decreased, while sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma rose (3.48%, p < 0.05), findings that remained consistent in sensitivity analyses when excluding 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Incidence remained stable in men (0.13%) and women (-0.23%). Rates declined in Black men (-1.73%, p < 0.05) but increased in White women (0.484%, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
This study highlights the evolving trends in sinonasal cancer over 20 years. Given the rarity (2-15 cases per million) and comprising 3.4% of head and neck tumors, targeted research and early detection are crucial for future treatment of sinonasal cancer.
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