Nasal cavity tumors extending to the skull base are quite rare, accounting for 3 to 5% of head and neck cancers. Many of them, which previously require traumatic craniofacial resection, can now be removed via an endoscopic endonasal approach.

OBJECTIVE

To improve the quality of treatment in patients with nasal cavity tumors that spread to the skull base.

Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 13 patients operated on for malignant nasal cavity neoplasms spreading to the skull base, by applying an endoscopic endonasal access or providing endoscopic endonasal assistance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Among 13 patients with advanced nasal cavity tumors, there were 8 women and 5 men at the age of 33 to 72 years. G1 Chondrosarcoma was diagnosed in three cases. There was also one case of G2 chondrosarcoma, two cases of mucosal melanoma, two cases of G1 neuroendocrine tumor, one case of G2-3 neuroendocrine tumor, one case of G3 neuroblastoma, two cases of adenoid cystic cancer, and one case of squamous cell carcinoma. Total and subtotal resections were performed in 10 and 2 cases, respectively. Partial tumor resection was done in 1 case.

CONCLUSION

The immediate results of using the endoscopic endonasal technique may suggest that the latter will improve the quality of treatment in patients with malignant nasal tumors extending to the skull base. However, the assessment of the long-term results of treatment in patients with these tumors requires further investigation.