Multidisciplinary treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma.

The history of treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma is divided into four characteristic periods, with the corresponding 5-year cumulative survival rates of: 20% of 282 patients for 1957 to 1966; 25% of 191 patients for 1967 to 1971; 39% of 166 patients for 1972 to 1975; and 54% of 134 patients for 1976 to 1979. The best treatment at present consists of 60Co gamma ray (5000 rad/25 fractions/5 weeks), continuous intra-arterial 5-FU infusion (2000 mg during the radiotherapy), tumor reduction mainly by weekly cryosurgery, and immunotherapy with cell wall skeleton of Nocardia rubra in appropriate combination. Early antrostomy and final curettage are mandatory. Maxillectomy should be resorted to when recurrence is histologically confirmed. Multidisciplinary treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma based on this conception has successfully increased the survival rates and reduced the need for maxillectomy.