Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: clinicopathological spectrums and diagnosis reappraisal.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is defined as undifferentiated carcinoma of the sinonasal tract without glandular or squamous features and not otherwise classifiable. SNUC is a rare tumor, with a long list of differential diagnoses, and often poses a considerable diagnostic challenge. In addition, recent advances in molecular and immunohistochemistry techniques have recognized several new entities that were previously included in the SNUC category. These include SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient carcinoma, NUT (nuclear protein in testis) carcinoma, adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma, and the most recently described and rarer SMARCA4 (BRG)-deficient carcinoma. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 11 cases with an original diagnosis of SNUC. We found that a significant portion of those cases can be reclassified into specific entities, with potential impact on therapy and prognosis because of misclassification in 2 of these cases.

A functional gene expression analysis in epithelial sinonasal cancer: Biology and clinical relevance behind three histological subtypes.

Epithelial sinonasal cancers (SNCs) are rare diseases with overlapping morphological features and a dismal prognosis. We aimed to investigate the expression differences among the histological subtypes for discerning their molecular characteristics. We selected 47 SNCs: (i) 21 nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinomas (NKSCCs), (ii) 13 sinonasal neuroendocrine cancers (SNECs), and (iii) 13 sinonasal undifferentiated cancers (SNUCs). Gene expression profiling was performed by DASL (cDNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension, and ligation) microarray analysis with internal validation by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). Relevant molecular patterns were uncovered by sparse partial-least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA), microenvironment cell type (xCell), CIBERSORT, and gene set enrichment (GSEA) analyses. The first two sPLS-DA components stratified samples by histological subtypes. xCell highlighted increased expression of immune components (CD8+ effector memory cells, in SNUC) and "other cells": keratinocytes and neurons in NKSCC and SNEC, respectively. Pathway enrichment was observed in NKSCC (six gene sets, proliferation related), SNEC (one gene set, pancreatic ß-cells), and SNUC (twenty gene sets, some of them immune-system related). Major neuroendocrine involvement was observed in all the SNEC samples. Our high-throughput analysis revealed a good diagnostic ability to differentiate NKSCC, SNEC, and SNUC, but indicated that the neuroendocrine pathway, typical and pathognomonic of SNEC is also present at lower expression levels in the other two histological subtypes. The different and specific profiles may be exploited for elucidating their biology and could help to identify prognostic and therapeutic opportunities.

High-Grade Sinonasal Carcinoma: Classification Through Molecular Profiling.

High-grade sinonasal carcinomas are a cohort of malignant epithelial neoplasms arising in the sinonasal cavities with distinct, ominous morphologic features or lacking well-differentiated features that might otherwise classify them as less biologically worrisome. Recent advances in molecular profiling have led to the identification of several distinct tumor entities previously grouped together. These molecularly distinct lesions include NUT (midline) carcinoma, INI1 (SMARCB1)-deficient carcinoma, SMARCA4-deficient sinonasal carcinoma, and novel IDH-mutant sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, in addition to the previously described lymphoepithelial carcinoma that may also be included in the differential diagnosis. The discovery of these distinct molecular tumor profiles may have significant clinical impact as targeted molecular-based therapeutics continue to evolve, and they may offer some respite for patients who have these highly aggressive cancers.

Schneiderian papillomas: comparative review of exophytic, oncocytic, and inverted types.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal papillomas are benign epithelial neoplasms arising from Schneiderian mucosa. The three subtypes, exophytic, oncocytic, and inverted (inverted papilloma [IP]), should be distinguished from one another histopathologically. This study (1) highlights the histopathological and clinical differences between the Schneiderian papilloma subtypes and (2) identifies clinical features that potentially predict papilloma subtypes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with Schneiderian papillomas over an 11-year period. RESULTS: Seventy patients with sinonasal papillomas who underwent sinus surgery were identified. There were 50 (71%) male and 20 (29%) female subjects diagnosed at an average age of 53 years (range, 13-80 years). Exophytic (n = 25), oncocytic (n = 9), and IP (n = 37) were identified. IP was associated with transformation into squamous cell carcinoma in three (8%) cases and dysplasia in three (8%) cases. Neither oncocytic nor exophytic subtypes were associated with dysplasia or malignancy. On multivariate analysis of potential predictors of papilloma subtype, history of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and location of papilloma were significantly associated with papilloma subtype. Using classification and regression tree model, papilloma subtypes can be predicted based on presence or absence of CRS and papilloma location with nominal 82.4% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The inverted and exophytic type are the most common sinonasal papillomas, with the inverted type having an 8% rate of malignant transformation in this study. In contrast, the oncocytic type was not associated with dysplasia or malignancy in our series despite reports in the literature indicating malignant potential. History of CRS and papilloma location can provide clues to the histological subtype, which is important for surgical planning and patient counseling.

A histologic and immunohistochemical study describing the diversity of tumors classified as sinonasal high-grade nonintestinal adenocarcinomas.

Nonintestinal sinonasal adenocarcinomas (SNACs) are somewhat poorly characterized and high-grade nonintestinal SNACs have been only rarely reported. Here, we review our experience with these tumors. Twenty-seven cases of high-grade nonintestinal SNACs were identified from 22 men and 5 women. Ages ranged from 22 to 83 years (mean±1 standard deviation=54.7±18.6 y; median=60 y). Thirteen cases involved the nasal cavity and sinuses, 10 involved the nasal cavity only, and 4 involved sinuses only. Most cases had marked cytologic and nuclear pleomorphism, abundant mitotic activity, and necrosis; however, these features were not uniform. Although histologically heterogeneous, recurrent growth patterns were seen that resembled other neoplasms of the area. Tumors lacked CDX2 and CK20 immunoreactivity (aside from rare CK20 immunoreactive cells). High-grade nonintestinal SNACs are more common in men and, although they occur over a wide age range, they are much more common in older individuals. Histologically, they show a great deal of heterogeneity.

Maxillary intraosseous vascular malformation: a case report and literature review.

We present a rare case of maxillary intraosseous vascular malformation and review the nomenclature used by pathologists and clinicians in classifying vascular anomalies. We also discuss the literature and highlight potential management pitfalls.

[History of treatment and classification of maxillary sinus neoplasms]. / Historia leczenia i klasyfikacji nowotworów zlosliwych szczeki.

History of treatment of maxillary malignant neoplasms goes back to the middle of 19th century, when Gensoul and Lizzard performed their first maxillectomy. However the development of maxillar surgery is connected with achivements of Moure, who as the first one characterized and applied innovative skin cut on the face. Author presents the history of other surgical procedures in therapy of maxillary tumors and describes methods which are apply nowaday. Attention is paid to the Polish contributions and accomplishments in diagnostics and treatment of tumors localized in this area. The classification of maxillary tumors from Sebileau dissertation till the newest TNM classification from 2001 is described.

New proposal for T classification of gingival carcinomas arising in the maxilla.

When the current T classification of the UICC (1987 and 1997) is used to stage carcinomas arising the upper alveolus and gingival and hard palate, most cases are classified as T4 because of their anatomic characteristics, similar to carcinomas arising in the lower alveolus and gingiva. This study compared the following two methods for classifying the T stage of maxillary carcinomas: (1) the original T classification criteria proposed by the UICC (1987 and 1997), and (2) a new T classification criteria, called the sinus and nasal floor (SNF) criteria. We found that the SNF criteria were more closely related to tumor control and survival than were the UICC criteria in patients with carcinomas arising in the upper alveolus and gingival and hard palate. Increased use of the SNF criteria is expected to improve staging of gingival tumors arising in the maxilla and increase the accuracy of diagnosis, especially of T4 tumors.

Ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is an unusual tumour. There have been a total of 34 cases of ameloblastic carcinoma in the English literature to date. Of these only 11 cases have occurred in the maxilla. The authors report the 12th such case. The histological classification for odontogenic carcinoma has been debated for many years and recently revised, thus differentiating between malignant ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma. The authors review the current literature regarding diagnosis and treatment of this unusual lesion, and support the use of the term malignant ameloblastoma for the tumours that metastasize in spite of their benign histological appearance, whereas, the ameloblastic carcinoma is referred to as the primary tumour with malignant transformation, regardless of its metastatic potential.

Transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy in inverted papilloma.

This study comprised 17 cases of inverted papilloma, which were divided into two groups. The first group included 8 cases that lacked maxillary sinus involvement. They were subjected to intranasal endoscopic resection with safety margin. The second group included 9 cases involving the maxillary sinus with or without nasal extension. They were subjected to transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy. Follow-up for an average of 43 months in group 1 and 28 months in group 2 (excluding the 5 cases with less than 2 years of follow-up) showed no recurrence. The author realized that inverted papilloma can be divided into two groups from the anatomic and behavioral points of view and accordingly should be managed differently. For those lesions without involvement of the maxillary sinus, intranasal endoscopic resection is effective; for those lesions with maxillary sinus involvement, transnasal medial maxillectomy, which could be performed safely under endoscopic control, is recommended.

[Giant cementifying fibroma of the maxillary sinus. Apropos of a case]. / Fibrome cémentifiant géant du sinus maxillaire. A propos d'un cas.

The case of a patient presenting with a gigantiform fibrous cementoma of the maxillary sinus is described. The diagnostic, the treatment and the histologic classification of the cementifying tumours is reviewed in light of the present literature.

A comparative study of the JJC, AJC and UICC T classifications of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

Seventy-six cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus were treated with radiotherapy and surgery with or without intra arterial infusion between 1969 to 1985 at the Tokyo Women's Medical College. T classification was made of all cases using the Japan Joint Committee (JJC, 1967), American Joint Committee (AJC, 1977) and Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC, 1987) classifications. 1) By the JJC classification, there were 20 cases in T2, 44 in T3 and 12 in T4. By the AJC classification, there were 9 cases in T2, 58 in T3 and 9 in T4. The classification of 14 cases were changed from JJC T2 to AJC T3, because of extension to the medial nasal meatus. By the UICC classification, there were 27 T2 cases, 32 T3 and 17 T4. 2) Cervical lymph node metastasis was detected in 14 cases (18%) at initial diagnosis and most were found in T3 and T4 cases. 3) The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 67% for T2, 32% for T3 and 25% for T4 by the JJC classification and statistical differences (p less than 0.05) were seen in T2-T3 and T2-T4. In the AJC classification, these were 71% for T2, 37% for T3 and 22% for T4 and no statistical significance was found among them. By the UICC classification, the 5-year survival was 58% for T2, 26% for T3 and 38% for T4 and marked statistical significance (p less than 0.01) was seen in T2-T3 and T2-T4. 4) The cumulative 5-year survival rate in 14 patients with tumor extension to the medial nasal meatus was 55% and it is appropriate to define this stage as T2 in the new UICC classification. These data suggested that UICC classification (1987) is useful and correlated with prognostic analysis.

Staging in the treatment of maxillary carcinoma revisited.

The site of origin of maxillary sinus carcinoma will not infrequently predetermine the varied neurological signs at presentation. Modifying Ohngren's division, the maxillary sinus can be divided into four quadrants based on anatomical nerve correlates, thus facilitating identification of the primary site. An inclusive classification of maxillary sinus carcinoma based on Broder's grading, site of origin, the TNM classification and the patient's general condition, serves as the basis for a correlative therapeutic regimen.

A classification system for maxillary sinus carcinoma.

A system of classification that reflects the site of origin within the sinus cavity is proposed for maxillary sinus carcinoma. Careful examination for areas of anesthesia or pain over the distribution of the various branches of the infraorbital nerve may localize the site of origin of the disease within the maxillary sinus. Early treatment can thus be provided, sometimes before the tumor can be identified radiologically.

Staging of maxillary cancer. Which classification?

Of the many proposed classifications for staging maxillary sinus cancer, none has been adopted universally and none is known to be superior to the others. This study identified the best of six currently used classifications using data from 53 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. Analysis of each classification's ability to stage the majority of patients, produce a balanced distribution of T stages, and correlate T stage with treatment and prognosis revealed Harrison's classification to be the best. Harrison's classification should be adopted worldwide as the classification of choice for staging squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.