Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the sinonasal region: Three case reports with a review of the literature

Abstract

The paranasal sinuses are a rare location for metastases. The most frequent infraclavicular primary tumor to metastasize to the nose and paranasal sinuses is renal cell carcinoma. Three cases of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with metastases to the paranasal sinuses and with destruction of the skull base are reported. These patients had a primary renal cell carcinoma on the left side for which they had undergone a left nephrectomy many years previously. Right-sided renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed only after the patients had developed symptoms secondary to their metastases. These patients presented with the unusual manifestations of frontal swelling, proptosis, and epistaxis. They were offered palliative treatment in the form of radiotherapy and interferon therapy. © 2012 Vendome Group, LLC.