Two cases of primary small cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus

Abstract

Small cell carcinoma is relatively common in the lung, but very rare in the head and neck region. We describe our experience with two extremely rare cases of small cell carcinoma arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. (Case 1) The patient was a 54-year-old man who had complained of left eyelid swelling and diplopia. He had a mass in the left maxillary sinus. He was treated with irradiation and chemotherapy. However, during the treatment, distant metastasis appeared in the skin and he died 4 months after the initial treatment. (Case 2) The patient was a 47-year-old woman who had complained of left nasal obstruction. She had a mass in the left nasal cavity. Surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy were performed. However, after the initial treatment, a metastatic swelling of the left cervical lymph node appeared. Left neck dissection was performed, and she underwent two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Following the initial treatment, no evidence of recurrence has been observed for 29 months.