Korean J Pathol.  2003 Jun;37(3):214-217.

Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma: A Case Report

• Kim HW
• Ko GH
• Kim CW

Abstract

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare, aggressive neoplasm arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. We report a case of SNUC in an old woman. The tumor was located at the nasal cavity and ethmoid sinus, extending to the cranial cavity. The nasopharynx was free from the tumor. Microscopically, the tumor formed nests or sheets containing medium-sized cells with small amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm. High mitotic rates and tumor necrosis were characteristic. There was no evidence of glandular or squamous differentiation. The tumor was focally weak positive for cytokeratin, but negative for vimentin, leukocyte common antigen, S-100 protein, chromogranin, synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase. Epstein Barr Virus EBER-1 was not detected by in situ hybridization. SNUC is a highly aggressive tumor and must be distinguished from less aggressive sinonasal neoplasms.

MeSH Terms

Antigens, CD45
Carcinoma*
Cytoplasm
Eosinophils
Ethmoid Sinus
Female
Herpesvirus 4, Human
Humans
In Situ Hybridization
Keratins
Nasal Cavity
Nasopharynx
Necrosis
Paranasal Sinuses
Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
S100 Proteins
Synaptophysin
Vimentin
Antigens, CD45
Keratins
Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
S100 Proteins
Synaptophysin
Vimentin