Role of Radiation Treatment for Cancer of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses
The treatment for cancer arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is either radiation therapy alone or a combination of surgery combined with adjuvant radiation therapy.
The chance of cure depends on the extent of the primary tumour (whether the cancer arises in the nasal cavity or sinuses). The chance of spread to distant sites of the body and/or lymph nodes in the neck is relatively low.
Benefits
The cure rates with these approaches are similar. However, by combining surgery with radiation, it is possible to use a lower radiation dose and lower the risk of complications like damage to the optic nerves and brain.
In general, however, the preferred approach at Princess Margaret Hospital is to use high-precision radiotherapy approaches that use radiotherapy to a high dose, often combined with chemotherapy. This is frequently facilitated by exploiting stereotactic techniques.
How to Make a Referral
Patients may be referred to one of the radiation oncologists in the Site Group either through the departmental referral process or by contacting one of the physicians directly.
This page was last updated August 18th, 2010 at 7:48am.