Prognostic factors of nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To analyze the treatment results and prognostic factors of nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Eight-seven patients with squamous cell carcinoma of nasal cavity were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 87 patients, 62 had poorly differentiated 11 moderate differentiated, and 14 well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. There were 8, 11, 20 and 48 patients in stage I, II, III and IV, respectively. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and the comparison between the two groups was performed by Log-rank test. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 55.1%. The 5-year survival rates were 36.7% and 58.3% for patients with positive cervical lymph node metastasis and for those without (P=0.040). It was showed that orbit (P=0.012) or oropharynx invasion (P=0.043) were the adverse prognostic factors. The earlier stage, the better the 5-year survival rates (84.2% for stage I + II and 43.8% for stage III + IV, P=0.024). The 5-year survival rates were 47.6% for radiotherapy alone (Group R), 54.5% for surgery alone (Group S), and 63.8% for combination of surgery and radiation therapy (Group S + R) (P=0.488) . After treatment, 30 patients have died of local persistence or relapse. Conclusions: Cervical lymph node metastasis, orbit/oropharynx invasion and clinical stage may have great influence on the prognosis of nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma. The main cause of death after treatment for this group is local relapse. (authors)