Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the ethmoid sinus

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Abstract
The ethmoid is an unusual site for the occurrence of mucoepidermoid tumors. The 4 cases presented share the features of extensive spread before diagnosis and apparent aggressive behavior of the tumor. In the 1st 3 cases exact histological diagnosis had not been made before referral and in 2 of these cases radiotherapy had already been given. Anatomically there is a close relationship between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses and tumors arising here are prone to disregard natural boundaries and cause indefinite or slight symptoms for long periods. Consequently, when the patient is first seen, the tumors are rarely confined to 1 group of air cells. In this might be sought at least part of the reason for the poor prognosis of mucoepidermoid tumors in this area. It is possible that, if a definite histological diagnosis can be made, radical surgery as a 1st line of treatment might offer the best chance of cure in patients with this tumor.