Transitional cell carcinoma of the nasal passages: dramatic response to chemotherapy

Transitional cell carcinoma of the nasal passages and sinuses is an uncommon tumor of the head and neck, for which the efficacy of chemotherapy has not been previously reported. A dramatic and complete tumor response to chemotherapy with cis-platinum, methotrexate, and bleomycin is described in a patient with advanced proptosis due to extensive local recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. Relevant literature on this rare histologic type of head and neck cancer has been reviewed.