Metastatic Tumors of the Sinonasal Cavity: A 15-Year Review of 17 Cases

Abstract

Extranasal cancers that metastasize to the sinonasal cavity are very rare. To date, there are only limited reports regarding this rare condition within the literature. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed all patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the sinonasal tract from 2003 to 2018 at a tertiary academic medical center. Patient demographic data, clinical presentation, treatment modalities, and outcomes were investigated. There were a total of 17 patients (9 males and 8 females) included in the analysis. The mean age was 56.8 years (range 27–80). The most common primary malignancies were hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 3) and gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinoma (n = 3). The most common site of metastasis was the nasal cavity (n = 8). Five patients received radical tumor resection and the others underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined chemoradiotherapy. The 2-year survival was 28%. In summary, metastasis to the sinonasal cavity remains extremely rare. A high degree of suspicion regarding the possibility of metastatic spread to the sinonasal region is necessary for patients with a previous history of malignancy who present with new sinonasal symptoms. The treatment strategy of sinonasal metastatic cancer is usually palliative therapy and the prognosis remains poor. However, early detection and diagnosis, coupled with aggressive treatment, may improve patient quality of life.

Metastasis frontal sinus from rectal adenocarcinoma: A rare case

“…The rectal adenocarcinoma metastases to paranasal sinuses are exceedingly rare, notably in the frontal sinus [2 , 3] . The spread of tumor cells can be hematogenous or meningeal [5] .…”

“…Sinus paranasaux metastases are extremely rare [1] . They represent 3% of cancers in the sinonasal tract [2] . They represent 3% of cancers in the sinus nasal tract [2] .…”

“…They represent 3% of cancers in the sinonasal tract [2] . They represent 3% of cancers in the sinus nasal tract [2] . They are rarely due to rectal adenocarcinoma [1 , 2] .…”

“…They represent 3% of cancers in the sinus nasal tract [2] . They are rarely due to rectal adenocarcinoma [1 , 2] . In the literature, the most famous metastatic cancer of the sinus nasal tract is renal cell carcinoma, accounts for nearly half of all cases.…”

“…In the literature, the most famous metastatic cancer of the sinus nasal tract is renal cell carcinoma, accounts for nearly half of all cases. Other common metastatic cancers are bronchogenic carcinoma, urogenital cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer [1 , 2] .…”