[Clinical and evolutive considerations on rhinosinus cylindromas]

With reference to 7 cases of rhinosinusal cylindroma, rarely, encountered at this level (approximately 3% of all malignant rhinosinusal tumours), the authors discuss the evolution of the tumour and its treatment in the light of recent published data and their own experience in cases followed up over a long interval. In contrast to the pathohistologic aspect according to which these tumours are relatively benign, cylindromas appear to be malignant tumours with a slow, infiltrative evolution and a marked tendency to recurrence. After many years they may be transformed into carcinomas. They seldom give metastasis to the regional lymph nodes, but often generalize in the end stage by haematogenic route (with localizations in the lungs, pleura, brain, spinal column, ribs, long bones). As they are radioresistant, initial broad surgical excision is compulsory followed--when surgery is performed in the advanced stages--by complementary radiotherapy (intracavitary cobalt, intracavitary contact roentgentherapy, telecobalt, teleradiumtherapy, electron therapy).