Nasal septal pediculate carcinoma in situ: differential diagnosis

Pediculated lesions of the nasal cavities are relatively common in daily practice, and include inflammatory polyps, benign tumors (papillomas being the most common), malignant tumors, and specific processes, such as polypoid rhinosporidiosis. The authors describe a female patient with a warty, pediculated, and asymptomatic lesion in the nasal septal mucosa. The anatomo-pathological exam showed this to be a "carcinoma in situ". The few bibliographic citations report only an association between the tumor and contact with wood dust, such as oak, ebony and beech. The patient was not exposed to these elements. It is important to emphasize the routine performance of a complete otolaryngological exam for patients seeking out specialists, in order to detect potentially malignant lesions whose early removal would permit a complete cure.