Background: Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent histological subtype of paranasal sinus malignancy diagnosed in Belgium. Classical treatment consists of an external surgical approach (lateral rhinotomy with medial maxillectomy or craniofacial resection) followed by radiotherapy. The role, possibilities, and limitations of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are to date unknown.
Methods: We studied 44 patients with primary (not treated previously) adenocarcinoma treated with endoscopic sinus surgery and radiotherapy between 1992 and 2004.
Results: The median follow-up of the patients alive at the end of the study period was 36 months. For the 3-year follow-up, the overall survival, disease-specific survival, and local control rate were 81%, 91%, and 73%, respectively. Corresponding rates for the 5-year follow-up were 53%, 83%, and 62%. Union Internationale Contre le Cancer T classification did not appear to influence these results.
Conclusions: Endoscopic sinus surgery followed by radiotherapy for primary adenocarcinoma of the paranasal sinuses gives oncological results comparable to those of standard external approaches.