Adenoid cystic carcinoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: 5 years experience in las Condes Clinic of Santiago of Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is a neoplasm originating in exocrine glands throughout the body, mainly in the major salivary glands. In the nasal cavity and para­nasal sinuses is rare and characterized by a high frequency of recurrence and distant metastasis after remission and despite its treatment. Aim: To describe characteristics of a series of patients with operated adenoid cystic carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Material and method: Descriptive-retrospective study. Period January 2012 and January 2017. The information was obtained from the electronic tabs of the Las Condes Clinic. It describes origin, age and sex, clinical characteristics, anatomopathological fin- dings, diagnostic methods, treatment, evolution. Results: Total 5 patients operated, 3 women and 2 men. The average age was 63 years, ranging from 33 years to 90 years of age. 100% of the cases without associated factors. The most frequent clinical presentation was unilateral nasal obstruction, fo- llowed by facial pain. 2 patients presented with initial diagnosis, 2 due to recurrence and 1 due to persistence. In 3 cases the tumor originates from the maxillary sinus and in 2 in the ethmoidal sinus. All had advanced disease, stage IV and III. 3 patients were histo- logically low grade and 2 high grade. In all 5 cases, the primary treatment was surgical, 60% endoscopic, 20% open and 20% combined. In 4 cases, postoperative radiotherapy was used and in 3 of this concomitant chemotherapy. All are without signs of tumor recurrence in the last control. Conclusion: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is quite infrequent; its incidence is less than 1 / 100,000 cases per year. It is more common in women between 40 and 50 years. It is identified more with its origin in the maxillary sinus (50%) and cribriform pattern. Clinically it presents in advanced stages since at an early stage, it is asymptomatic or it presents nonspecific inflammatory clinic. Diag­nosis is performed with biopsy supplemented with imaging. The most commonly used treatment is endoscopic or open surgery associated with postoperative radiotherapy, despite which, they present with high recurrence in the long term.