Adenocarcinoma of the Sinonasal Tract: A Review of the National Cancer Database

A Pilot Immunohistochemical Study Identifies Hedgehog Pathway Expression in Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma

Tumors of the head and neck, more specifically the squamous cell carcinoma, often show upregulation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. However, almost nothing is known about its role in the sinonasal adenocarcinoma, either in intestinal or non-intestinal subtypes. In this work, we have analyzed immunohistochemical staining of six Hedgehog pathway proteins, sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Indian Hedgehog (IHH), Patched1 (PTCH1), Gli family zinc finger 1 (GLI1), Gli family zinc finger 2 (GLI2), and Gli family zinc finger 3 (GLI3), on 21 samples of sinonasal adenocarcinoma and compared them with six colon adenocarcinoma and three salivary gland tumors, as well as with matching healthy tissue, where available. We have detected GLI2 and PTCH1 in the majority of samples and also GLI1 in a subset of samples, while GLI3 and the ligands SHH and IHH were generally not detected. PTCH1 pattern of staining shows an interesting pattern, where healthy samples are mostly positive in the stromal compartment, while the signal shifts to the tumor compartment in tumors. This, taken together with a stronger signal of GLI2 in tumors compared to non-tumor tissues, suggests that the Hedgehog pathway is indeed activated in sinonasal adenocarcinoma. As Hedgehog pathway inhibitors are being tested in combination with other therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, this could provide a therapeutic option for patients with sinonasal adenocarcinoma as well.

Imaging of the Sinonasal Cavities

This article describes the various abnormalities that affect the sinonasal cavities and discusses inflammations, tumors, and tumor-like conditions. Specific imaging evaluations that focus on the sinonasal cavities are described in more detail.

Low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib in recurrent intestinal-type papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare epithelial malignancy primarily treated with surgery and chemoradiation. The combination of low-dose immunotherapy and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in recurrent disease has not been previously studied.A man in his 20s with papillary adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region, following surgical resection, was treated with six cycles of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by four cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine. While on treatment, he was found to have extensive residual disease and he was started on low-dose nivolumab and cabozantinib. Repeat imaging after ten months of treatment revealed a significant reduction in lesions.Non-squamous head and neck cancers are often excluded from major trials, and the effect of immunotherapy in these histologies is poorly understood. The response seen with low-dose immunotherapy underscores the need for further research in this setting.

Adjuvant Radiation and Survival Following Surgical Resection of Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the utility of adjuvant radiation in patients who undergo surgical resection for the management of node-negative sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

METHODS

The 2004-2016 National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was used to extract patients with surgically resected node-negative SNAC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox-Proportional Hazards Modelling were used to analyze the impact of adjuvant radiation on overall survival (OS) following surgery.

RESULTS

349 patients with SNAC underwent surgical resection. Of these patients, 154 (44.1%) received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Although there was no significant difference in race, age, or sex of those receiving RT, those receiving RT have more advanced diseases and are more likely to have positive margins. Kaplan Meier analysis showed no significant difference in 5-year OS in patient who received adjuvant RT in comparison to those who underwent surgical resection alone (65.7% vs. 72.6%, respectively; p = 0.378). In addition, when looking at only patients with positive margins, 5-year OS still did not have a significant difference (73.8% vs. 61.6%, respectively; p = 0.101). Only patients with clinical AJCC T4 showed a statistically significant survival benefit with adjuvant RT (56.9% vs. 29.9%, respectively; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant RT does not appear to provide a significant survival benefit in patients with resected SNAC, with the exception of those with clinically AJCC T4 disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2603-2612, 2023.

Results of Primary Treatment and Salvage Treatment in the Management of Patients with Non-Squamous Cell Malignant Tumors of the Sinonasal Region: Single Institution Experience

Non-squamous cell carcinoma-related malignant sinonasal tract tumors (non-SCC MSTT) are rare and diverse malignancies. In this study, we report our experience in the management of this group of patients. The treatment outcome has been presented, involving both primary treatment and salvage approaches. Data from 61 patients treated radically due to non-SCC MSTT between 2000 and 2016 at the National Cancer Research Institute, Gliwice branch, were analyzed. The group consisted of the following pathological subtypes of MSTT: adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma (USC), sarcoma, olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB), adenocarcinoma, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNC), mucoepidermic carcinoma (MEC), and acinic cell carcinoma, which were found in nineteen (31%), seventeen (28%), seven (11.5%), seven (11.5%), five (8%), three (5%), two (3%) and one (2%) of patients, respectively. There were 28 (46%) males and 33 (54%) females at the median age of 51 years. Maxilla was the primary tumor localization followed by the nasal cavity and ethmoid sinus in thirty-one (51%), twenty (32.5%), and seven (11.5%) patients, respectively. In 46 (74%) patients, an advanced tumor stage (T3 or T4) was diagnosed. Primary nodal involvement (N) was found in three (5%) cases, and all patients underwent radical treatment. The combined treatment consisted of surgery and radiotherapy (RT) and was given to 52 (85%) patients. The probabilities of overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), metastases-free survival (MFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed in pathological subtypes and grouped together, along with the ratio and effectiveness of salvage. Locoregional treatment failure was seen in 21 (34%) patients. Salvage treatment was performed in fifteen (71%) patients and was effective in nine (60%) cases. There was a significant difference in OS between patients who underwent salvage and those who did not (median: 40 months vs. 7 months, p = 0.01). In the group of patients who underwent salvage, OS was significantly longer when the procedure was effective (median: 80.5 months) than if it failed (median: 20.5 months), p < 0.0001. OS in patients after effective salvage was the same as in patients who were primary cured (median: 80.5 months vs. 88 months, p = 0.8). Distant metastases developed in ten (16%) patients. Five and ten year LRC, MFS, DFS, and OS were 69%, 83%, 60%, 70%, and 58%, 83%, 47%, 49%, respectively. The best treatment results were observed for patients with adenocarcinoma and sarcoma, while USC gave the poorest results in our set of patients. In this study, we indicate that salvage is possible in most patients with non-SCC MSTT with locoregional failure and that it may significantly prolong their overall survival.

The Selective Role of Open and Endoscopic Approaches for Sinonasal Malignant Tumours

Endoscopic endonasal surgery has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of selected cases of sinonasal cancers. However, in cases of locally advanced neoplasms, as well as recurrences, the most appropriate approach is still debated. The present review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on the utility of open approaches to resect sinonasal malignant tumours. Published comparative studies and meta-analyses suggest comparable oncological results with lower morbidity for the endoscopic approaches, but selection biases cannot be excluded. After a critical analysis of the available literature, it can be concluded that endoscopic surgery for selected lesions allows for oncologically safe resections with decreased morbidity. However, when endoscopic endonasal surgery is contraindicated and definitive chemoradiotherapy is not appropriate, craniofacial and transfacial approaches remain the best therapeutic option.

PET-CT in Clinical Adult Oncology-V. Head and Neck and Neuro Oncology

Simple Summary

Positron emission tomography (PET), typically combined with computed tomography (CT) has become a critical advanced imaging technique in oncology. With PET-CT, a radioactive molecule (radiotracer) is injected in the bloodstream and localizes to sites of tumor because of specific cellular features of the tumor that accumulate the targeting radiotracer. The CT scan, performed at the same time, provides information to facilitate attenuation correction, so that radioactivity from deep or dense structures can be better visualized, but with head and neck malignancies it is critical to provide correlating detailed anatomic imaging. PET-CT has a variety of applications in oncology, including staging, therapeutic response assessment, restaging, and surveillance. This series of six review articles provides an overview of the value, applications, and imaging and interpretive strategies of PET-CT in the more common adult malignancies. The fifth report in this series provides a review of PET-CT imaging in head and neck and neuro oncology.

Abstract

PET-CT is an advanced imaging modality with many oncologic applications, including staging, assessment of response to therapy, restaging, and longitudinal surveillance for recurrence. The goal of this series of six review articles is to provide practical information to providers and imaging professionals regarding the best use of PET-CT for specific oncologic indications, and the potential pitfalls and nuances that characterize these applications. In addition, key tumor-specific clinical information and representative PET-CT images are provided to outline the role that PET-CT plays in the management of oncology patients. Hundreds of different types of tumors exist, both pediatric and adult. A discussion of the role of FDG PET for all of these is beyond the scope of this review. Rather, this series of articles focuses on the most common adult malignancies that may be encountered in clinical practice. It also focuses on FDA-approved and clinically available radiopharmaceuticals, rather than research tracers or those requiring a local cyclotron. The fifth review article in this series focuses on PET-CT imaging in head and neck tumors, as well as brain tumors. Common normal variants, key anatomic features, and benign mimics of these tumors are reviewed. The goal of this review article is to provide the imaging professional with guidance in the interpretation of PET-CT for the more common head and neck malignancies and neuro oncology, and to inform the referring providers so that they can have realistic expectations of the value and limitations of PET-CT for the specific type of tumor being addressed.

Predictors of distant metastases in sinonasal and skull base cancer patients treated with surgery

OBJECTIVES

Sinonasal and skull base tumors comprise a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a significant rate of distant recurrence (DR). The aim of this study was to analyze tumor and host factors, including pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), that predict DR in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed sinonasal tumors and/or tumors involving the skull base treated with surgery between 1973 and 2015 (n = 473). We stratified NLR using the top 5 percentile as cutoff. Factors predictive of outcome were determined by Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Most tumors were primary (81%) and 67% had skull base resection. The most common site was the nasal cavity (37%) and the most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (34%). Most patients presented with advanced primary tumor stage (pT3/T4; 80%) and most had no regional neck disease (pNx/N0; 93%). A total of 104 patients developed DR. The 5-year overall and disease-specific survival for patients who developed DR were 36.4% and 35.8%, compared to 69.0% and 74.9% for patients who did not. Patients with DR had a higher percentage of NLR-high patients compared patients without DR (11% vs 3%, p = .006). In a multivariable analysis, melanoma histology (HR = 5.469, 95% CI 3.171-9.433), pT3/T4 (HR = 2.686, 95% CI 1.150-6.275), pN+ (HR = 6.864, 95% CI 3.450-13.653), and NLR-high (HR = 3.489, 95% CI 1.593-7.639) were independent predictors of DR.

CONCLUSION

Melanoma histology, pT, pN, and high NLR predict DR, suggesting that both tumor and host factors need to be considered. NLR may act as a surrogate marker of the host́s immune system.

Radiooncological View on Therapy Outcome after Multidisciplinary Treatment of Sinonasal Tumors

Simple Summary

Tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are rare. Most are discovered at a locally advanced stage and require multimodal treatment consisting of surgery and radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy. Tumor localization between the eyes and near the brain makes treatment planning difficult due to the necessary consideration of both critical normal tissue with high protection priority and the curative aim of the best radiotherapy dose deposit. Thus, it is noteworthy how tumor volumes impact the five-year survival outcome. Therefore, we investigated initial tumor volumes before any therapy. Patients with larger mean initial tumor volumes of more than 75 cm³ had worse outcomes. There was no additional benefit of upfront surgery. Especially for patients with large tumor burdens of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinus, an interdisciplinary case discussion with the patient is essential in the process of shared decision-making.

Abstract

Purpose: We report the outcome of a mono-institutional retrospective study of sinonasal carcinoma with the primary focus on GTV (gross tumor volume) and the effect of radiotherapy. Methods: 53 patients with sinonasal carcinoma and that of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus or both except lymphoma were included. All patients were treated between 1999 and 2017. For tumor volume delineation, all pre-therapeutic images were fused to the planning CT (computed tomography). Results: The median follow-up was 17 months [0.3–60], the median age 60 years, 35 males and 18 females were included. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (60.4%) was the predominant histology, followed by adenocarcinoma (15.1%). The mean composite OS (overall survival) time was 33.3 ± 3.5 months. There was no significant difference in the 5 y composite OS between tumor localization or radiotherapy setting. The simultaneous integrated boost concept showed a trend towards improving five-year composite OS compared to the sequential boost concept. The only factor with a significant impact on the 5 y composite OS rate was the pre-therapeutic GTV (cutoff 75 cm³; p = 0.033). The GTV ≥ 100 cm³ has no effect on the 5 y composite OS rate for SCC. Conclusions: The pre-therapeutic GTV is a prognostic factor for five-year composite OS for the entire group of patients with sinonasal tumors, influencing the outcome after completion of all treatment strategies. The GTV seems to not influence five-year composite OS in SCC. For this rare tumor entity, an intensive, multidisciplinary discussion is essential to finding the best treatment option for the patient.

Isolated Primary Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma of the Sphenoid Sinus

Isolated lesions of the sphenoid sinus, particularly malignancies, are rarely reported and exist largely within the Otolaryngology literature. Delayed diagnosis may necessitate neurosurgical involvement; therefore, neurosurgeons must be aware of the range of pathologies in this region in order to provide adequate treatment. We present an unusual case of an 89-year-old female with several weeks of worsening headaches, vision loss, and cranial neuropathies. Work-up at an outside hospital was non-diagnostic. After referral, an expansive and erosive lesion within the left sphenoid sinus was identified. A transsphenoidal approach for resection of the lesion yielded a primary non-salivary non-intestinal type sinonasal adenocarcinoma, as well as bacterial sinusitis and probable allergic fungal sinusitis. The patient was treated with antimicrobial medications as well as stereotactic radiosurgery. Her neurological deficits did not improve with treatment, and she ultimately expired 3.5 months post-operatively after transition to hospice. Primary sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a very rare pathology in this location. Surgical intervention is necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis and proceed with appropriate treatment. Delayed diagnosis likely portends a worse prognosis.