Malignant Tumours of Paranasal Sinuses

Abstract

The study is based on 121 cases of tumour treated during the ten-year period 1945–54 at the Otolaryngological Clinic in Helsinki. According to site of origin, three groups were distinguished: tumours of the maxillary sinus (80 cases), the maxilloethmoidal region (39), and frontal sinus (2). There were 110 carcinomas (91 %), and 11 sarcomas (9 %). Of the carcinomas, the most frequent type was the spinocellular, and in addition there were anaplastic, basal cell, and adenocarcinomas. All cases were given combined operative and radiation treatment. Electrosurgery was employed in most cases. Instead of ligation of the external carotid artery, temporary compression with an arterial clamp was successfully used in a great number of cases during the operation.

The five-year survival rate was 26 % for the maxillary sinus tumours, 23% for maxilloethmoidal tumours, 27% for carcinomas, and 18% for sarcomas.