Carcinomas of the maxillary sinus: a retrospective study.

In order to evaluate the indications for massive surgery (maxillectomy and exenteration of the orbit) in carcinoma of the maxillary sinus, 96 patients were reviewed in this retrospective study. The absolute five-year survival in those patients treated for cure and with at least 5-year follow-up was 51%. The survival in patients with close or positive surgical margins, with invasion of the anterior cranial fossa, skin or soft tissue of the cheek and with cervical lymph nodes on presentation was reduced considerably. It is therefore recommended that if patients are treated for cure in order to achieve clear surgical margins, major surgery is necessary and this is combined with radiotherapy.