We retrospectively analyzed 14 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of ethmoid sinus (LASCC-ES) for the feasibility of anterior craniofacial resection (ACFR). Ethmoid cancer treatment comprised alternating chemoradiotherapy (ALCRT; n = 1), concomitant radiotherapy and intra-arterial cisplatin (RADPLAT; n = 4) and ACFR (n = 9). The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients were 47.6 and 39.6%, respectively. The 3-year local control (LC) rates of chemoradiotherapy (CRT; ALCRT and RADPLAT) (n = 5) and ACFR (n = 9) groups were 0 and 66.7% (p = 0.012), respectively. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of the CRT and ACFR groups were 0 and 55.6% (p = 0.018), respectively. The 3-year OS rate of the CRT and ACFR groups were 0 and 76.2% (p = 0.005), respectively. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed positive margins in 3 (33%) of 9 cases. The 3-year LC and PFS rates of cases (n = 3) with positive surgical margins were significantly poorer than those of cases (n = 6) with negative surgical margins. Although ACFR for LASCC-ES is a feasible treatment, cases with positive surgical margins were more prone to local relapse. Therefore, surgical safety margins should be thoroughly assessed.
Primary ethmoid sinus squamous cell carcinoma in a young adult man
