Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses treated with radiotherapy alone

Objective: We present the first report of a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses treated successfully with radiotherapy alone. Method: A case report and literature review are presented. Results: Fewer than 50 cases of paranasal sinus neuroendocrine carcinoma have been reported. We present an 82-year-old man referred with recurrent epistaxis. He was investigated by biopsy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and was found to have a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma. He declined any surgery or chemotherapy but consented to radiotherapy. Thirty months later, he remained clinically free from cancer. Conclusion: There is no consensus for the management of paranasal sinus neuroendocrine carcinoma. Most cases are treated with surgery with or without chemoradiotherapy. This case shows that radiotherapy alone may be a viable treatment option for some cases.