Yolk sac tumours of the orbit and sinonasal tract

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The aim of this study is to report two cases of paediatric Yolk sac tumours (YST) of the orbit and sinonasal tract, with a major review on the subject.

Methods

Two case reports along with a comprehensive retrospective literature review of all English language publications between 1974 and 2021 is presented. Literature review examined the demographics, clinical presentation and diagnostic and prognostic factors of extragonadal YSTs of the orbit and sinonasal tract.

Results

Orbit and sinuses are rare sites for YST, with only 25 paediatric cases reported in the literature. Extragonadal yolk sac tumours carry a significantly worse outcome than those localised to the gonads, with the 5-year survival of 66% and 81–89%, respectively. Our review found the median age of presentation to be 18 months (18 months for males and 24 months for females), and females are more commonly affected. The most common presentations were proptosis, facial swelling and ophthalmoplegia. Treatments and therefore outcomes varied in the cases due to the large time period. Of the cases reported in the last 10 years, all patients with data provided were alive and disease-free at follow-up.

Conclusion

Sino-orbital yolk sac tumours are rare and have variable presentations, dependent on the extent of local invasion. Early diagnosis and treatment with multimodal therapy are paramount in having improved overall survival.

KEYWORDS:

• Endodermal sinus tumour
• orbit
• paediatric
• sinus
• yolk sac tumour

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2022.2106375.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.