Squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus: A retrospective analysis of 36 cases

Abstract

36 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinuses formed the basis of this review. There were 16 T3 and 20 T4. Treatment consisted of radiotherapy alone in 21 cases and radiotherapy followed by systemic chemotherapy in 15 cases. The median survival for all analysed patients was 19 months and the 3-year and 5-year estimated survivals were 30% and 17%. The respective 3- and 5-year survival probabilities were 19% and 9% for patients treated with radiotherapy alone and 40% and 27% for patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (p=0.01). Our findings seem to suggest that the addition of systemic chemotherapy to radiotherapy may improve overall survival in advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinuses.