Craniofacial resection of malignant tumors of the anterior skull base: a case series and a systematic review

Matching-adjusted indirect comparison of endoscopic and craniofacial resection for the treatment of sinonasal cancer invading the skull base

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) with craniofacial resection (CFR) for sinonasal cancers invading the skull base, using an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC).

METHODS

A MAIC approach was used to analyse data from two large cohorts: the MUlti-institutional collaborative Study on Endoscopically treated Sinonasal cancers (MUSES) cohort, comprising sinonasal cancer patients treated endoscopically, and a historical CFR cohort reported by Ganly et al. Individual patient data were available only for the first cohort. Patients with olfactory neuroblastomas were excluded. Key prognostic factors were used to match and adjust the two cohorts, minimising selection bias. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), with secondary endpoints including recurrence-free survival (RFS), perioperative mortality, complication rates, and resection margins.

RESULTS

A total of 724 EEA-treated and 334 CFR-treated patients were included. EEA showed significantly improved OS before (HR= 2.33, 95 % CI= 1.88-2.87) and after MAIC adjustment (HR= 1.93, 95 % CI= 1.60-2.34). Observed RFS was higher in the EEA group (HR= 1.39, 95 % CI = 1.14-1.69) but no longer differed after adjustment (HR= 1.06, 95 % CI= 0.91-1.23). EEA was associated with significantly better Disease Specific Survival (HR= 1.71, 95 % CI = 1.39-2.13), lower perioperative mortality (OR= 8.12, 95 % CI= 3.45-36.7) and fewer complications than CFR (OR= 3.68, 95 % CI= 2.47-5.42).

CONCLUSION

In this MAIC study based on the 2 largest cohorts of sinonasal cancer with skull base invasion, EEA offered comparable oncologic outcomes to CFR with reduced morbidity, supporting it as a valid alternative when performed in expert centres.

Endoscopic Craniofacial Resection, an Emerging Epitome of Anterior Skull Base Tumor Resection

Anterior skull base (ASB) malignancies have conventionally been treated with craniofacial resection (CFR), yet this approach is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Recent advancements in endoscopic surgical techniques offer a promising alternative. This study aims to evaluate the morbidity, mortality, recurrence, metastasis, and survival rates of open CFR versus endoscopic CFR for ASB malignancies. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 patients who underwent surgery for sinonasal malignancies between January 2017 and July 2023. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical details, complications, and outcomes were assessed. Surgical procedures included endoscopic resection or open CFR. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Among 24 patients, 18 underwent CFR, with 13 receiving endoscopic CFR and 5 undergoing open CFR. Male predominance (mean age 40.8 years) and squamous cell carcinoma were common. Endoscopic CFR showed favorable outcomes in terms of visualization, bleeding, surgery duration, complications, and cosmesis compared to open CFR. All endoscopic patients underwent piecemeal resection, with 12 achieving negative margins. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to all patients. Mean survival time was similar between endoscopic (709±5.5 days) and open (707±7 days) groups, with no significant difference in recurrence rates. Endoscopic CFR emerges as a feasible alternative to open CFR for ASB malignancies, offering comparable outcomes with reduced morbidity. Advancements in endoscopic techniques demonstrate promising results, highlighting the potential of endoscopic surgery in this complex anatomical region. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and establish endoscopic CFR as a standard approach for ASB malignancies.

Surgical management of advanced sinonasal cancer: a 10-year mono-institutional experience

Objective

Endoscopic endonasal surgery is effective in the treatment of sinonasal cancers. However, in cases of well-differentiated locally advanced neoplasms as well as recurrences, the most appropriate treatment is debated. The purpose of this study is to report a mono-institutional experience on craniofacial surgery performed in a tertiary-care referral centre.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 90 patients treated with transcranial and/or transfacial resection for sinonasal cancer between 2010 and 2020. Outcome measures included overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

The 5-year OS, DSS and DFS were 48.2%, 60.6% and 28.7%, respectively. Factors correlated with prognosis were pT-classification (p = 0.002), histotype (p = 0.012) and dural involvement (p = 0.004). Independent prognostic factors were orbital apex infiltration (p = 0.03), age (p = 0.002) and adjuvant therapy (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

When endoscopic endonasal surgery is contraindicated and chemoradiotherapy is not appropriate, craniofacial and transfacial approaches still represent an option to consider, despite the non-negligible morbidity.

The Selective Role of Open and Endoscopic Approaches for Sinonasal Malignant Tumours

Endoscopic endonasal surgery has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of selected cases of sinonasal cancers. However, in cases of locally advanced neoplasms, as well as recurrences, the most appropriate approach is still debated. The present review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on the utility of open approaches to resect sinonasal malignant tumours. Published comparative studies and meta-analyses suggest comparable oncological results with lower morbidity for the endoscopic approaches, but selection biases cannot be excluded. After a critical analysis of the available literature, it can be concluded that endoscopic surgery for selected lesions allows for oncologically safe resections with decreased morbidity. However, when endoscopic endonasal surgery is contraindicated and definitive chemoradiotherapy is not appropriate, craniofacial and transfacial approaches remain the best therapeutic option.

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma in the Sinonasal Cavity with Large Intracranial Extension Treated with Endonasal Endoscopic and Transcranial Combined Surgery: A Case Report

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare malignant tumor that typically arises in the lungs. It is especially rare in the sinonasal cavity, and treatment has not been established. In this study, we present the case of a 56-year-old woman with a large sinonasal LCNEC that extended into her brain. We performed endonasal endoscopic and transcranial combined surgery followed by chemoradiation therapy. The combined surgery enabled us to approach and remove the extensive tumor from two different directions at one time less invasively. We have achieved good tumor control for 18 months so far.

Interdisciplinary management of skull base surgery

Skull base surgery remains one of the challenging areas in the field of cranio-maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology and neurosurgery. Subsequent reconstruction of bone and soft tissue are an essential component to restore function and appearance after ablative surgery. Establishment of interdisciplinary tumor boards with presentation of the individual patient cases have become standard. Multiplanar reconstruction using MRI or CT imaging techniques combined with virtual 3D planning allow precise planning of the procedures. Intraoperative navigation helps for complete resection of malignant findings with safety margins; surgical approaches provide a good overview of the surgical site. Reconstruction using local flaps have a low complication rate with equally reliable results in reconstruction of small tissue defects. Free flap surgery makes reconstruction of large tissue defects possible. Alloplastic materials are alternatively used for reconstruction of bone defects. Based on selected patients, treatment algorithms and standard surgical procedures in extracerebral skull base surgery will be illustrated. Current techniques and new approaches will be discussed with emphasize on hard and soft tissue reconstruction.

Endoscopic approaches to skull base malignancies affecting the anterior fossa

Anterior skull base malignancies are rare and comprise distinct histological entities. Surgery encompasses the traditional craniofacial resections (CFR), and more recently, endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) or a hybrid cranioendoscopic (CEA) technique. Although the CFR is still considered the "gold-standard;" there is growing evidence supporting that EEA yield equivalent oncologic outcomes with less morbidity in well-selected cases. Therefore, this article aims to review the current state-of-art in addressing anterior cranial base malignancies using expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) with particular references to surgical anatomy and nuances of hybrid cranioendoscopic techniques. Cadaveric dissections and illustrative cases are presented to detail our current surgical technique allied with tailored adjuvant therapies, and treatment strategies are further discussed based on tumor histology.

The Role of Adjuvant Treatment in Craniofacial Malignancy: A Critical Review

Background: Tumors originating from the craniofacial region usually present in a locally advanced stage with frequent involvement of adjacent sites and have a strong tendency for local recurrence in the absence of adjuvant therapy, even when the original surgical resection was presumed to be radical. In the past decades, several advances in the radiological diagnosis and treatment of craniofacial malignancies have been introduced. There are, however, no randomized trials that define the optimal multimodal treatment of these tumors because of their rarity as well as heterogeneity in both histology and site of origin. The aim of this study was to conduct a critical review of the role of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of craniofacial malignancy. Method: We conducted a critical review of the past and contemporary literature available, focusing on adjuvant oncological treatments of the most common craniofacial malignancies. Results: Preoperative radiotherapy can have a documented role in the treatment of olfactory neuroblastoma and soft tissue sarcoma, while preoperative chemotherapy can be advocated in the treatment of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, and craniofacial sarcoma (both soft-tissue and high-grade osteosarcoma). Postoperative radiotherapy has a well-established role in the treatment of most craniofacial malignancies. The role of postoperative chemotherapy is unclear in most histologies, but is commonly used during the treatment of well-selected cases of paranasal sinus carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, mucosal melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma and high-grade craniofacial osteosarcoma. Discussion: Alongside developments in surgery, there have also been improvements in diagnostics, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Implementation of novel radiation techniques allows delivery of higher radiation doses while minimizing irradiation-related morbidity. Better understanding of tumor biology allows the construction of more complex treatment strategies, incorporating adjuvant chemotherapy either pre- or postoperatively. In the era of personalized targeted therapy, rapid strides are being made to identify specific tumor-targets for use of novel biologic agents, with the potential to change current management paradigms.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Paranasal Sinuses: A Single Center Experience

Objective  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the paranasal sinuses is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, making curative therapy difficult. The goal of this study was to evaluate the management and outcomes of patients with SCC treated at our institution. Methods  In a population-based consecutive prospective cohort, we conducted an analysis of all patients treated for SCC between 1988 and 2017. Results  A total of 72 patients were included, follow-up was 100%. Mean follow-up was 57 months for the entire cohort, and 108 months for patients with no evidence of disease. Eighty-two percent of all patients had high-stage (T4) disease. Fifty-seven patients underwent treatment with curative intent; consisting of surgery with or without oncologic treatment in 34, and of oncologic treatment only in 23 cases. Fifteen patients received palliative treatment. The rates of overall survival for the entire cohort were 55% at 2, 41% at 5, and 32% at 10 years, and corresponding disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 55, 45, and 34%, respectively. DSS rates after surgical treatment with curative intent were 81% at 2, 65% at 5, and 54% at 10 years. Retromaxillary involvement and nonradical surgery were negative prognostic factors. Best survival was achieved with the combination of radical surgery and adjuvant oncologic treatment. Conclusion  Surgical resection with a curative intent yielded 65% at 5-year DSS even in this cohort of patients with high-stage SCC and is still considered as the treatment of choice, preferably in combination with adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Treatment of Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives  Sinonasal adenocarcinoma (AC) is a potentially curable disease despite being an aggressive malignancy. Long-term survival can be achieved with early diagnosis and adequate multidisciplinary treatment. Our goal was to evaluate outcomes for patients with AC treated at our institution. Design  In a population-based consecutive prospective cohort, we conducted an analysis of all patients treated for surface epithelial AC between 1995 and 2018. Results  Twenty patients were included, and follow-up was 100%. The mean follow-up time was 89 months for the entire cohort (112 months for patients with no evidence of disease). Intestinal-type AC was found in 65%, whereas nonintestinal-type AC was found in 35% of all cases; 75% had stage T3/4 disease. Tumor grade was intermediate/high in 65%. Eighteen patients underwent treatment with curative intent (craniofacial resection [CFR] in 61%, transfacial approach in 39%, adjuvant radiotherapy in 89%), achieving negative margins in 56% of cases. Overall survival (OS) rates were 90, 68, and 54% after 2, 5, and 10 years of follow-up, respectively, and the corresponding disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 90, 73, and 58%. Age over 60 years, tumor with a maxillary origin, and microscopic bone invasion were negative prognostic factors. Radical CFR was correlated with better OS and DSS. Conclusion  The high probability of achieving radicality with CFR, the low complication rate, the acceptable toxicity of modern irradiation modalities, and the promising survival rates indicate that this strategy might be considered a safe and an effective option for treating patients with very advanced sinonasal AC.