Influence of the site of origin on the outcome of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilla—oral versus sinus

The maxilla may be affected by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from both oral and sinus sites. We sought to determine whether the site of origin of the maxillary tumour, oral as compared to sinus, influences survival. Univariate Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models analysis of 58 patients with SCC involving the maxilla, treated with curative intent, was conducted. The overall 5-year disease-free survival for the group was 41.7%. Five-year disease-free survival for oral subsite SCC was 56.8%, while for sinus subsite was only 21.6%. Univariate analysis found SCC of sinus origin to be associated with a poorer prognosis, however this was not confirmed on multivariate analysis. T-stage and positive margins were found to be the only independent risk factors. For SCC of the maxilla, sinus origin of the tumour per se does not confer a poorer prognosis; however, as a result of the complex anatomy of the midface, these tumours can present at an advanced stage, while surgical control of the disease can be more difficult, especially posteriorly. Tumour size and positive margins were the determinants of a poor prognosis in this group of patients with maxillary SCC.