A case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the maxillary sinus – case report -*
Most cancers of the paranasal sinuses are squamous cell carcinoma. Undifferentiated carcinoma of the maxillary sinus is very rare. We encountered a case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the maxillary sinus in an 88-year-old male, who had complained of left epistaxis, and visited our hospital. Anterior rhinoscopy revealed a mass in the left nasal cavity, A biopsy of this left nasal mass led to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated carcinoma. An enhanced CT scan showed a tumor in the area of the left nasal cavity, maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus. MRI disclosed a tumor of low intensity (T1 weighted image ) and high intensity(T2 weighted image). We performed the groB Denker operation under local anesthesia. The histopathological diagnosis was undifferentiated carcinoma. Postoperative radiation was done, and CT after treatment showed no tumor. However, recurrence of the maxillary carcinoma was observed one month later, and he died as a result of general debility, We discussed the rarity of undifferentiated carcinoma of the maxillary sinus, the difficulty of treatment of this tumor, and as a result of the poor prognosis. (Accepted on May 22, 1998) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 24(1) : 53― 57, 1998
