Carcinoma of the ethmoid: results of treatment with conventional surgery and post-operative radiotherapy

Aims:A retrospective study was carried out of 50 patients with carcinoma of the ethmoid, treated over a period of 20 years.Methods:The treatment used was surgery, followed by post-operative external beam radiotherapy and when possible supplemented by brachytherapy.Results:Although the nature of surgery in the majority of cases was conventional, the 63% 5-year overall survival, except in adenocarcinomas, was slightly better than that achieved by more aggressive surgery. There was no mortality and morbidity was minimal.Conclusions:Conventional surgery in combination with radiotherapy and brachytherapy gives satisfactory and comparable results.