Sinonasal NUT carcinoma: A consecutive case series and systematic review

Abstract

Background: Sinonasal NUT carcinoma is an extremely rare, lethal malignancy with limited literature.

Methods: A case series was conduction of all patients with sinonasal NUT carcinoma at a single institution between 2010 and 2022. Survival and associated were evaluated. A systematic review of the literature was performed.

Results: In 12 patients, followed for a median of 1.5 years, the median overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were both 14.6 months. Patients with maxillary sinus tumors were 91% more likely to survive (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.094, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.011-0.78, p = 0.011). Patients with higher-stage disease stage had worse OS (stage IVb-c vs. III-IVa, p = 0.05). All three patients who were alive with no evidence of disease received induction chemotherapy.

Conclusion: For patients with sinonasal NUT carcinoma, the median survival was 15 months but better with lower-stage and maxillary tumors. Induction chemotherapy may be beneficial.

Keywords: NUT; carcinoma; induction chemotherapy; neoadjuvant; sinonasal.