Improved clinical outcomes with multi-modality therapy for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE

To examine outcomes among patients treated for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) of the head and neck.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

The records of 16 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic SNUC were analyzed. Initial treatment consisted of: surgery alone (6 patients), surgery with post-operative chemoradiotherapy (4 patients), and primary radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy (6 patients).

RESULTS

The median survival for patients treated by surgery followed by postoperative chemoradiotherapy was 30 months compared to 7 months and 9 months for patients treated by surgery alone and upfront chemoradiotherapy, respectively (p=0.20). The 2-year locoregional control was 18% for patients treated with upfront chemoradiotherapy, 37% for patients treated with surgery alone, and 78% for patients treated with surgery plus chemoradiotherapy (p=0.49).

CONCLUSION

While the potential role of selection bias must be considered, multi-modality therapy using surgery and post-operative chemoradiotherapy yielded the most favorable outcomes for SNUC and should be recommended whenever feasible.