Adenoid cystic carcinoma of maxillary sinus: report of two cases

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma infrequently affects paranasal sinuses. It's a slowly progressing, aggressive cancer with a tendency to invade nerves. The research underscores the significance of prompt diagnosis and effective management of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus are presented. The first, a 73-year-old woman, presented with right nasal obstruction. The second, a 53-year-old woman, presented with a hard palatal mass and right nasal obstruction. The biopsy confirmed adenoid cystic carcinoma in the first patient. Given the extent of the tumor, she was referred to radiotherapy to complement the therapeutic treatment. The second patient underwent mass excision, also confirmed to be adenoid cystic carcinoma, followed by radiation therapy. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its slow growth and local regional spread, making its diagnosis and therapeutic management particularly challenging.