Prognostic value of treatment time in sinunasal squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction:

Delay in the start of postoperative therapy is a negative prognostic factor for the most common head and neck carcinoma of oral cavity, throat and larynx. Starting a postoperative radiatio 6 weeks after tumor resection and a total treatment time of 100 days is recommended. The influence of treatment time in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is unknown.

Methods:

For incident cases of sinonasal SCC between 2002 and 2017 patient and tumor characteristics and therapy (resection, postoperative treatment, begin and duration of radiation therapy) were evaluated. Analysis of overall and recurrence free survival regarding treatment time and UICC-stage (I/II vs. III/IV), sex and localization (nasal cavity vs. paranasal sinuses).

Results:

In 73 cases (42 male, median age 65 years) nasal cavity was the most common tumor localization (n = 28). Treatment included a postoperative radio(-chemo-)therapy in 22 cases (group 1), or only radiation therapy in 17 cases (group 2). Median time between surgery and radiation was 48 days in group 1 or between diagnosis and radiation 41 days in group 2, respectively. Median total treatment time was 96 days in group 1 and 91 days in group 2. There were no significant differences in overall and recurrende free survival regarding treatment time. The only positive prognostic factor was an early-stage tumor (p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

In sinonasal SCC a comparatively early postoperative radiation or short treatment time does not seem to be crucial compared to therapy-independent factors like tumor stage or comorbidity. The minor role of postoperative therapy underlines the meaning of a reliable and a relatively extensive tumor resection.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)