Abstract
Primary sphenoidal carcinoma is very rare. In this report, we have reviewed the clinical characteristics as well as the treatment results of six patients with primary sphenoid sinus carcinoma admitted to Kurume University Hospital between 1986 to 2005. They were 4 males and 2 females, with age ranging between 28 and 70 (average: 52).
The chief complaint was headache in all cases. Histopathologically, the most common type was squamous cell carcinoma (n=4). As the treatment, combined operation and chemo-radiotherapy (n=3) or chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=3) was performed. Three of the six cases died. In the analysis of tumor extension into the surrounding space by CT and MRI, there was one skull base invasion, two cavernous sinus invasions, two clivus invasions, three nasopharynx invasions, and four nasal and paranasal sinus invasions. In the analysis of the three surviving, it became evident that they were free from invasion to the skull base or cavernous sinus, and received combined operation and chemo-radiotherapy. These results indicate that post-operative chemo-radiotherapy is necessary for the treatment of carcinomas of the sphenoid sinus. Invasion into the skull base and cavernous sinus seemed to be a high risk factor for a poor prognosis in patients with advanced sphenoid sinus carcinoma.
