OBJECTIVETo analyze the significant clinicopathologic factors related to tumor recurrence in patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and to evaluate the effectiveness and plausibility of surgical salvage in the recurrent cases.

METHODSThe clinicopatholgic data of 107 patients with primary sinonasal SCC treated from 1996 to 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to define the risk factors related to tumor recurrence. Salvage surgery with was selectively carried out in the recurrent sinonasal SCC using different surgical approaches, including lateral rhinotomy midfacial degloving or combined craniofacial approach. Immediate reconstruction of major surgical defects were performed with latissimus dorsi flap, pectoralis major myocutanneous flap, temperalis fasciomuscular flap, free rectus abdominis flap and free radial forearm flap. All patients were routinely follwed up and 5-year survival were calculated using directly calculating method and Kaplan-Meier's method.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rate of 107 cases was 52.3% (56/107). Local recurrence was the most common pattern of tumor relapse. Forty-four of the 107 cases had recurrence. Logistic regression analysis showed the T stag was the most important impacting factor for tumor recurrence (OR = 0.258, P = 0.001). Of 44 cases with recurrence, 33 cases underwent salvage surgery and the 5-year survival rate after salvage surgery was 29.1%.

CONCLUSIONST stag is the most important impacting factor for tumor recurrence. Salvage surgery with immediate reconstruction of major surgical defects should be carried out in the selective cases of recurrent sinonasal SCC.