Collision Occurrence of Sinonasal Carcinosarcoma and Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Collision occurrences of sinonasal carcinosarcoma and pituitary adenoma are rarely reported. Sinonasal carcinosarcomas represent rare neoplasms with invasive characteristics and unfavorable prognoses.CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a rare case of a collision occurrence of sinonasal carcinosarcoma and pituitary adenoma in a 45‐year‐old male patient. MRI demonstrated a large mass involving the sellar region, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and anterior cranial base. Total surgical resection with a pure endoscopic expanded endonasal approach was performed successfully with neuronavigational assistance. Histopathologic results were a carcinosarcoma in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and anterior cranial base and a pituitary adenoma in the intrasellar zone. The Ki-67 index of the carcinosarcoma was high (more than 95%). Although the patient received chemotherapy, he died 6 months after surgery because of in situ recurrence and extensive metastatic growth.CONCLUSIONS: Collision occurrences of sinonasal carcinosarcoma and pituitary adenoma are rare events. Such tumor could be removed successfully by neuronavigational guidance with a pure endoscopic expanded endonasal approach. A contralateral nasal septum mucosa flap without tumor invasion can be used as a kind of skull base repair material. A high Ki-67 index may be a biomarker of rapid tumor progression and poor prognosis in such patients.