Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses treated with radiotherapy alone.

OBJECTIVE

We present the first report of a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses treated successfully with radiotherapy alone.

METHOD: A case report and literature review are presented.

RESULTS

Fewer than 50 cases of paranasal sinus neuroendocrine carcinoma have been reported. We present an 82-year-old man referred with recurrent epistaxis. He was investigated by biopsy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and was found to have a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma. He declined any surgery or chemotherapy but consented to radiotherapy. Thirty months later, he remained clinically free from cancer.

CONCLUSION

There is no consensus for the management of paranasal sinus neuroendocrine carcinoma. Most cases are treated with surgery with or without chemoradiotherapy. This case shows that radiotherapy alone may be a viable treatment option for some cases.