Sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma

Abstract

Sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (SNACC) is a rare malignancy that most commonly arises in the maxillary sinus. Characteristics of SNACC are slow growth, perineural invasion, and long clinical course. Because it is a rare tumor, population-based studies are limited. We analyzed the incidence and survival for SNACC using a national population-based database. Retrospective cohort study using national cancer database. The United States National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry was utilized to calculate incidence and survival trends for SNACC between 1973 and 2009. Patient data were then analyzed according to age, sex, and race. Incidence trends were studied for the last 30 years, and survival outcomes were compared across the different demographic parameters. A total of 412 cases of SNACC were identified (57.52% female). Incidence trend analysis revealed a significant decrease in yearly rates from 1973 to 2009 for the overall population, females, whites, blacks, and "others." Overall 5-year survival for SNACC was 68.80%, 10-year survival was 48.03%, and 20-year survival was 22.39%. Significant differences in survival outcomes were noted between whites, blacks, and "others." "Others" had the best 20-year survival outcomes. The overall incidence of SNACC is declining. Sex and race seem to influence the overall survival for this rare tumor. Future studies need to be conducted to investigate these dynamic trends related to SNACC.