Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Maxillary Sinus — A Case Report

Introduction: Sinonasal carcinoma accounting for approximately 3% of head and neck malignancies, the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequently and maxillary sinus, the most affected site; SCC can grow up before symptoms develop. Majority of cases present at an advanced stage of disease, with a massive tumor size and invading surrounding bony structures and sinuses. SCC involving the maxilla is relatively uncommon compared with other head and neck subsites of malignant tumors.

Objectives: To describe a case report of sinonasal SCC patient with maxilla involvement.

Resumed Report: A 50-year-old woman with left sinonasal SCC was presented. Computed tomography scans reveled involvement of the orbit, the maxilla, and the zygoma. Patient was referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with significant reduction of lesion size. A surgical resection including a hemimaxillectomy, base of the left orbit and zygoma was performed. Into the procedure, nasal septum was used for reconstruction of the orbital floor. The analysis of the specimen demonstrated free surgical margins. Patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Keep ambulatory following, currently free of disease.

Conclusion: Maxillary SCC by malignant tumors of sinus origin presents an aggressive behavior associated with late diagnosis. In this case, surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy is the most indicate treatment in view of advanced stage of disease. Elective neck treatment is not usually indicated because sinus SCC is considered a low cervical lymph node metastasizing cancer. Although elective nodal irradiation can be used for subclinical neck disease, there is no consent about this in the literature.