Management Outcomes of Maxilary Sinus Maligancies: A Fifteen Year Study at Radiotherapy Department in a Tertiary Health Facility in Ibadan, South-West, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary sinus malignancies are rare worldwide. The disease usually presents at an advanced stage making its management challenging for all the medical personnel involved in its treatment. Because of its location deep within the maxilla and its proximity to critical surrounding structures, radiotherapy plays an integral role in sterilizing the area of malignant cells.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the management outcomes of maxillary sinus malignancies at the radiotherapy clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

METHODS: A retrospective study of a total of 108 patients with histological diagnosis of maxillary sinus malignancies registered from January 1995 to December 2009 was done. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social science (SPSS) version 21, and statistical significance of association between variables was assessed using Chi-square test at p<0.05. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of UCH.

RESULTS: A total of 108 patients with histologically confirmed maxillary antrum malignancies were seen over the study period. The mean age of the patients was 50.3±2.8years. The sex distribution showed 65(58.3%) males and 45(41.7%) females. Multimodality management was the primary mode of treatment. Histology and mode of treatment were found to be of prognostic significance. Only 6.4% of the patients had complete remission, while 14.8% and 50% had no remission and partial remission respectively.

CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients had partial remission or no remission in our study despite the combination of surgery and radiotherapy.