The clinical behavior of inverting papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses: report of 112 cases and review of the literature.

Between 1944 and 1987, 112 patients with inverting papilloma of the nasal cavity were treated. The average duration of follow-up for this population was 6.2 years. The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction and history of previous surgery for nasal "polyps". Recurrence rates were lower when treatment consisted of lateral rhinotomy with medial maxillectomy (14%) vs. transnasal operation with a sinus procedure (35%) or transnasal operation alone (58%). Recurrence rates between men and women were not significantly different when treatment methods were analyzed; however, a higher-than-expected association with tobacco usage was noted. Eight (7%) of the 112 patients had associated nasal carcinoma. Current treatment is lateral rhinotomy with medial maxillectomy to prevent troublesome and potentially malignant recurrent disease.