Radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity

The management of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, a relatively rare tumor, is described, with results of long-term follow-up. We treated five such patients by means of radiotherapy combined with surgery in all but one case. Three patients received a dose of 40 Gy preoperatively, one received 60 Gy of radical radiotherapy, and one received 38 Gy of postoperative radiotherapy. During the follow-up period, one patient developed a local recurrence and two patients developed distant metastases. Nasal cavity tumors in our patients were diagnosed early, and local control using a combination of radiotherapy and surgery was relatively effective. Distant metastases occurred in two of five patients during the follow-up period, suggesting that the possibility of distant metastases during follow-up was considered.