Terminal tubulus adenocarcinoma of the nasal seromucous glands. A specific entity.

A distinctive species of adenocarcinoma arising in the region of the middle turbinate and ethmoid is described. While these tumors generally behave rather benignly, some lesions are capable of invading the cranial cavity as well as metastasizing. Histologically the cells and the structure of these tubular-papillary cystadenocarcinomas show such a striking similarity to the terminal tubules of the seromucous glands that the term "terminal tubulus adenocarcinoma" is proposed. As similar glands can be found in all portions of the upper and lower aerodigestive tracts, it is also possible that these tumors may occur throughout this entire area.