SINONASAL UNDIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA - A 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Purpose: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUG) is a rare and agg ressive malignancy of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Of the f ew reported series, most indicate a dismal prognosis. In this report, the clinical presentation, histopathologic criteria used for diagnosis , mode of treatment, and outcome are evaluated in seven patients with SNUG. Materials and Methods: Seven patients with SNUG treated at the U niversity of Cincinnati between 1983 and 1993 were analyzed retrospect ively. Results: Most of the patients presented with extensive local di sease, and two patients also had cervical metastases. AII except one w ere treated using a multimodality approach. Four of the seven patients died of disease (DOD), with a mean survival of only 11.5 months follo wing treatment. Inability to eradicate local disease was responsible f or treatment failure in all cases. Three patients have achieved short- term control of disease following combined therapy, but one is at high risk for recurrence. Conclusion: SNUG was associated with an overall poor prognosis in our series despite aggressive treatment. Control of local disease was the central therapeutic consideration. Intensive mul timodality therapy is recommended for all patients with SNUG. Copyrigh t (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company.