Les adénocarcinomes de l'ethmoïde : à propos de 46 patients

Objective:To describe the clinical and radiological presentation, management, and outcomes of adeno- carcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses. Materials and methods:We retrospectively revie- wed the medical charts of the 46 patients managed for adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses at a teaching hospital in Toulouse, France, over an 11-year period (1992-2002). Of the 38 patients with operable tumors, 36 were treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy and 2 were also given neoadjuvant chemothe- rapy. The 8 remaining patients received palliative the- rapy. R e s u l t s :Mean fo l l ow-up was 3.7 ye a rs . Actuarial survival rates were 70.8% after 3 years and 62.2% after 5 years. Discussion:As part of the pretreatment work-up, computed tomography and magnetic resonance ima- ging used in combination provide 98.5% agreement with histology. The management of adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses is not standardized. We recom- mend radiation therapy and surgery when curative therapy is feasible. Radiation therapy plus chemothe- rapy can be sued for inoperable tumors. Nasal endo- scopy is useful for diagnosing and monitoring the tumor; its contribution to the treatment is being eva- luated.