Treatment of Nasal Cavity Cancer in Metastatic or Recurrent Sinonasal Carcinoma Not Amenable to a Curative Approach

When sinonasal carcinoma has spread beyond the primary site or has recurred in a form that cannot be addressed with curative intent, the clinical priority shifts from cure to palliation — focusing on disease control, symptom relief, and quality of life.

Clinical Scenario

This protocol applies to patients with metastatic sinonasal carcinoma, or with recurrent sinonasal carcinoma where no curative approach — surgical, radiotherapeutic, or otherwise — remains feasible. In this setting, palliative options are the appropriate next step.

Treatment Approach (Partial Summary)

Systemic palliative chemotherapy, most often built around a cisplatin-based backbone, is the primary treatment modality in this scenario. Specific combinations and additional agents may be considered depending on histological subtype and individual patient factors.

The complete regimen — including all eligible combinations, sequencing, and surgical palliation criteria — is available in the full structured protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.104121

In recurrent SMs that are not amenable to a curative approach, palliative options have to be considered.
Palliative ChT options can often include cisplatin-based ChT, which could be combined with 5-FU, paclitaxel, docetaxel or cetuximab [IV, B].
In neuroendocrine carcinomas, etoposide can be added [IV, B].
For isolated, inoperable, local recurrences, palliative surgery can be an option to reduce bleeding or nasal obstruction.

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