Nasal Septal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Chart Review and Meta‐analysis

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum occurs infrequently and is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to everyday rhinologic complaints. The published series have been too small to determine the best form of treatment for this cancer. The authors of this study retrospectively reviewed nasal septal squamous cell carcinomas treated at three university-affiliated hospitals over a 30-year period. Sixteen primary tumors were identified and reviewed for presentation, staging, treatment, recurrence patterns, and risk factors. The authors then combined their findings with those of suitable literature series and performed a meta-analysis to evaluate predictors of survival. There were too few patients in each stage and treatment group to significantly determine the optimal treatment for nasal septal squamous cell carcinoma. However, based on the present study and the literature series, the authors suggest that small lesions may be confidently treated with either radiation or surgery and that combined therapy may be reserved for more advanced tumors.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity: A descriptive analysis of cases from the head and neck 5000 study

“…The findings from this study are consistent with findings from previous studies suggesting that lymph node metastases are uncommon at diagnosis in nasal cavity SCC, occurring in between 0% and 6% of people . Becker and colleagues reported 39 cases of nasal cavity SCC over a 16‐year period, half of which underwent neck dissection.…”

Nasal septum malignancy

“…Whether there are risk factors associated with nasal septum malignancy is an area of debate, partly because nasal septum malignancies do not have a standardized classification 2 . Risk factors such as prolonged exposure to wood dust and chemicals used in nickel refining and leatherworking were established in association with sinonasal adenocarcinomas, but the association with nasal septum malignancies is unknown 3 …”

‘Saddle nose’ deformity caused by advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum

“…Allen et al 20 demonstrated at least one patient treated with radiotherapy alone with T1 septal SCC, who was followed up for 29 months and remained disease free. DiLeo et al 1 have also drawn from their metanalysis of nasal septal SCC, that either radiotherapy or surgery are effective for small tumours. For larger AJCC T1 tumours and AJCC T2, T3 and T4, evidence has shown that surgery or surgery combined with radiotherapy offers superior cure rates for SCC of nasal and paranasal carcinoma, reported together 18.…”