Maxillary antrum. Strategy for the management of cancer of the maxillary antrum

The disease is usually squamous cell carcinoma. For all epithelial tumours treatment comprises: (a) External radiotherapy; (b) Palatal fenestration 6 weeks after completion of radiotherapy; (c) Final obturator put in after healing (usually 2-3 months after fenestration); (d) Radium mould to deliver 20.0-30.0 Gy if active tumour is found on histological examination through serial sections of the material removed in the fenestration procedure. This strategy is appropriate for all epithelial tumours (i.e. not for sarcomas or lymphomas). It is applicable to the less advanced stages, and is not suitable for tumours that have extended to the contralateral side or for metastasizing tumours