Nasion swelling as the presenting symptom of lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Metastasis to the paranasal sinuses from lung cancer is extremely rare. Here, we reported a patient of lung adenocarcinoma presenting with nasion swelling because of metastasis to the paranasal sinuses. A review of the literature from 1966 to 2008 yielded another 15 patients. Adenocarcinoma was the most commonly encountered histologic subtype, and modern combination chemotherapy was probably the most effective treatment modality. Headache, visual disturbance, facial mass, and facial pain were the symptoms frequently associated with paranasal sinus metastasis; however, all of them were nonspecific for a metastatic tumor. A thorough history taking, ear, nose, and throat examination, and laboratory investigations are of paramount importance to achieve a correct diagnosis. © 2009 by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.