Malignant triton tumor of the nasal cavity

Background. Malignant triton tumor is usually an aggressive sarcoma consist ing of a malignant schwannoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Howeve r, malignant triton tumor of the nasal cavity is very rare. Methods. A case report of a 38-year-old woman with polypoid mass, which ble d easily in the right nasal cavity, and nasal obstruction is presented with a review of the literature pertaining to this unusual case. Results. The malignant triton tumor was treated with wide surgical excision followed by radiation therapy. Histopathological diagnosis of the malignan t triton tumor was made on the surgical specimen. The patient's postoperati ve course was unremarkable, and follow-up at 5 years reveals no evidence of disease. Conclusions. A malignant triton tumor in the nasal cavity is a rare disease . Head and neck surgeons should recognize the possibility of malignant trit on tumor occurring in the nasal cavity. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.