Long-term Results of the Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma with Irradiation and Intraarterial Infusion of 5-FU

Abstract

Therapeutic results of 33 primary cases of maxillary sinus carcinoma treated with irradiation and intraarterial infusion of 5-FU between 1972 and 1984 were analyzed. The 5year crude survival rate for the group with stage T2 carcinoma (n =10) was 50.0%, and for those with T3 (n=15) and T4 (n=8) it was 46.7% and 25.0%, respectively. The overall 5year crude survival rate was 42.4%. Eight patients who did not undergo maxillectomy survived for 5 years after irradiation and intraarterial infusion. Recurrence of the tumor after the irradiation and intraarterial infusion occurred in 63.6%, and was frequently observed at the ethmoidal region and the orbita. In the areas in which the tumor extended to regions such as the ethmoid sinus and orbita, which are nourished by arteries other than the maxillary artery, conventional intraarterial infusion was ineffective for complete tumor eradication. Therefore, in most of the patients with advanced maxillary sinus carcinoma, partial or total maxillectomy following combined therapy of intraarterial infusion and irradiation is necessary to improve a prognosis.