Malignant Sphenoid Sinus Tumor

Sphenoid sinus malignancy is clinically rare. Godtfiedson (1947): 218 sinus malignancies; maxillary sinus 86.7%, ethmoid 43.6%, sphenoid 2.3%. Divided into primary and secondary; secondary metastases from distant organs: prostate carcinoma, myeloma, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer. Direct invasion from adjacent tumors: nasal/sinus, nasopharynx, sellar region. Barrs (1974): in sphenoid sinus metastases, distant metastases outnumber adjacent-organ invasion.

Common Symptoms

Sellar deformation; empty sella; esotropia; ptosis; cranial nerve palsy; exophthalmos; squamous cell carcinoma; diplopia; diabetes insipidus

Causes and Pathogenesis

Sinusitis incidence parallels sinus malignancy: maxillary > ethmoid > frontal > sphenoid. Recurrent nasal polyps/inverted papilloma after multiple surgeries risk malignant transformation; rhinoscleroma, minor salivary mixed tumor, schwannoma, fibroma may transform. Radiation for benign nasal/sinus lesions may induce cancer years later. Sarcomas often have trauma history. Long-term inhalation of irritants/chemicals: nickel, arsenic, chromium and compounds, hardwood dust, softwood dust.

Treatment

Drug, surgery

Preventive Measures

Digestible high-protein foods (milk, eggs, fish, soy products) improve anti-cancer capacity; milk/eggs correct post-radiation protein disorder. Anti-cancer foods: turtle, mushrooms, black fungus, garlic, seaweed, mustard greens, royal jelly.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Neurosurgery department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.