The role of radiotherapy in the management of maxillary sinus carcinoma.

From 1971 to 1983, a total of 208 patients with maxillary sinus carcinomas were treated at Department of Radiology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, 38 by Method I (radiation + surgery + intraarterial 5-fluorouracil [5-Fu] infusion), and 170 by Method II (radiation + surgery). Radiation doses ranged from 30 to 50 Gy over 3 to 5 weeks in Method I and 52 to 58 Gy over 4 weeks in Method II. Overall actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 45.6%. No statistical difference in survival rates was found between Method I and Method II. With respect to T stage, absolute 5-year survival rates were 100% (4/4) for T2, 49.5% (52/105) for T3, and 24.4% (11/45) for T4. From our data, no advantage in the use of intra-arterial 5-Fu infusion was demonstrated; the local failures in Method I developed earlier and more frequently than in Method II. The ultimate failures for all patients were 46.8%. Since 1980 when treatment planning by using computerized tomography scans and immobilization device was initiated, improvement in survival rate while reducing an incidence of eye complications has been accomplished.