Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC): the Alberta experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare malignancy with often dismal outcomes. This study set to determine provincial and literature-wide survival outcomes based on treatment modality.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all SNUC patients in the province of Alberta from 1986-2010 was conducted. A review of the literature of SNUC patients was also performed. Patient/tumor characteristics, treatment, and follow-up/survival data were collected. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analyses were performed.

RESULTS

20 patients were treated for SNUC in Alberta and 140 patients were identified in the literature. Pooled median disease-free survival was 12. 7 months and 5-year survival estimate was 6.25%. Cox-Regression analysis demonstrated an overall survival advantage with multimodality treatments (Log-Rank test: p = 0.015). However, no statistically significant differences in disease-free and overall survival were identified between patients treated with chemoradiation or surgery followed by adjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of SNUC remains challenging with poor survival outcomes. There appears to be no statistically significant difference in overall, or disease-free survival between treatment modalities.