Local Recurrence and Neck Metastasis of Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Indications

Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma (SNTCS) is an uncommon and very aggressive tumor that often involves the anterior skull base. The histopathologic findings of this neoplasm comprise a highly complex malignant tumor with combined features of carcinosarcoma and teratoma.

A 34-year-old woman with SNTCS of the nasopharynx who had endoscopically operated twice (36 and 18 months ago) and received 33 fractions (66 Gy) of radiotherapy after the second operation, developed left neck metastasis about nine and half month after the second operation. Functional neck dissection was performed for her about twelve months later.  The patient received 27 fractions (54 Gy) of radiotherapy again. She had been well during her follow-ups.

According to the medical literature, patients who were treated with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation showed lower recurrence and better survival rate than those who were treated with surgery and radiotherapy, however, the number of patients who were treated with surgery and chemoradiotherapy was too small. Thus, radical resection plus adjuvant radiotherapy is currently the most acceptable treatment.