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Objective  Radiation therapy represents an uncommon but important component of treatment plans for some pituitary adenomas (PAs). Although radiation therapy has been used to treat pituitary adenomas for over a century, general trends in the usage of radiation therapy for this purpose have not been reviewed. Additionally, there are few large studies evaluating how radiation therapy is used for the treatment of these benign tumors. Investigating these trends and identifying any variations in radiation therapy utilization would help to better inform treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes. Design  Present study is a retrospective analysis of cases using the National Cancer Database. Setting  The research was organized at a tertiary academic medical center. Participants  Patients were diagnosed with pituitary adenoma between 2004 and 2014 within the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods  Temporal trends in the usage of radiation therapy to treat pituitary adenoma were analyzed through a retrospective analysis of 77,142 pituitary adenoma cases from the NCDB between 2004 and 2014. Univariate and multivariate analyses were to examine the relationship between patient, tumor, and treatment factors, and the incorporation of radiation therapy into the treatment of pituitary adenomas. We adjusted for potential confounders such as age, sex, race, comorbidity score, facility type, and year of diagnosis. Results  A total of 77,142 patients met inclusion criteria. Inclusion of radiation therapy in pituitary adenoma treatment was 8.0% in 2004 and steadily declined to a low of 3.1% in 2014. Overall, patients were less likely to receive radiation for their pituitary adenoma over time (p  < 0.001). Similarly, patients were found to be less likely to receive any type of treatment for PA over time (p  < 0.001). Multivariable evaluation found patients who were female, between 54 and 64 years of age, or treated at either a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program or an Integrated Network Cancer Program were more likely to receive radiation as part of their pituitary adenoma treatment (p  < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, confidence interval [CI]: 1.54–2.63; p  < 0.001, OR = 1.84, CI: 1.38–2.44, respectively). Patients were less likely to receive radiation for their PA if they were African American (p  < 0.001, OR = 0.81, CI: 0.72–0.91). Logistic regression also identified a progressive increase in the likelihood of receiving radiation after a PA diagnosis with increasing tumor size starting with microscopic tumors, peaking at 4 to 5 cm (p  < 0.001; OR = 15.57; CI: 12.20–19.87). Conclusion  In this sample of pituitary adenoma patients treated at NCDB institutions between 2004 and 2014, we found a steady decline in the incorporation of radiation therapy in treatment, as well as in the use of any type of intervention for PA treatment, suggesting a rise in noninterventional observation of PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Surgical resection is widely accepted as a critical component for definitive treatment of sinonasal mucosal melanoma. Systemic immunotherapy, including multiple newer agents, has been used to treat metastatic or unresectable disease. In this study, we examine its efficacy in locoregional control when used in conjunction with surgical resection for primary mucosal lesions. Design  Present study is a retrospective review of all patients at a tertiary academic medical center with primary sinonasal mucosal melanoma and distant metastatic disease. Results  A total of four patients were identified. In all cases, patients were treated with a combination of surgical resection of the primary tumor and systemic immunotherapy. Three patients were initially treated with surgery at the primary site followed by immunotherapy for distant metastases. Response to immunotherapy at the sites of primary and metastatic disease was seen in two patients. All four patients developed progression or recurrence at the primary site following initiation of immunotherapy for which they underwent surgical resection. One patient remains in follow-up without evidence of disease 20 months after initial treatment; three succumbed to the disease at 135, 37, and 16 months after initial treatment. Conclusion  Surgical resection for local control plays a critically important role in the treatment of sinonasal mucosal melanoma regardless of the presence of metastases and whether immunotherapy will be given. This case series suggests that, though immunotherapy may demonstrate efficacy in managing distant disease, surgery should remain the first-line treatment for the primary site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives  A persistent craniopharyngeal canal (CPC) is a rare embryologic remnant that presents as a well-corticated defect of the midline sphenoid body extending from the sellar floor to the nasopharynx. Our case series aims to describe three unique presentations of this congenital anomaly and their subsequent management. Design  Retrospective review. Setting  Tertiary academic medical center. Participants  Patients who underwent endoscopic transnasal surgical repair of a CPC lesion. Main Outcome Measures  Resolution of symptoms and surgical outcomes. Results  A total of three patients were identified. The clinical presentation varied, however, all cases prompted further imaging which demonstrated a persistent CPC and associated pathologic lesion. The presentation of a persistent CPC with nasal obstruction and subsequent iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak as in Case 1 demonstrates the importance of imaging in this work-up. Cases 2 and 3 in the series were representative of the larger subset of patients in the literature who present with the defect incidentally but still warrant surgical management. Nonetheless, a standard approach to diagnosis with preoperative imaging and subsequent transnasal endoscopic repair of the skull base defect was undertaken. Conclusion  The persistent CPC is a rare congenital anomaly associated with diverse pathology and careful review of preoperative radiology is critical to the management. When warranted, subsequent surgical repair and reconstruction is associated with excellent postoperative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sinonasal lymphoma (SL) is a heterogeneous, underrecognized neoplastic disorder with limited outcomes data. We sought to better define outcomes by subtype and treatment at 2 referral centers over the past 2 decades. Methods: Demographics, clinicopathologic data, and treatment outcomes for patients treated for SL were queried from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021 at 2 tertiary academic medical centers. Results: Eighty‐four patients were included, with an average age at diagnosis of 63.4 ± 15 years. There were 34 females (40.5%). The majority of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of <2 (76.2%) and the most common presenting symptom was facial swelling/pain (26.2%). The most common primary site was the nasal cavity (36.9%). Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma was the most common subtype (46.4%), followed by extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma (17.9%). Chemotherapy was the most common treatment strategy (n = 59, 70.2%), followed by radiation therapy (n = 35, 41.7%) and immunotherapy (n = 24, 28.6%). Disease‐specific survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 85.7%, 73.6%, and 58.6%, respectively. Eighteen patients (21.4%) developed recurrence. On multivariate analysis, higher ECOG score (p < 0.0001) and history of head and neck radiation (p = 0.048) were associated with worse survival. Younger age was associated with greater risk of recurrence (p = 0.022) and male sex was associated with more treatment side effects (p = 0.012). Conclusion: This is the largest multi‐institutional analysis of SL characteristics and outcomes. Our work suggests that, although disease control in the first 5 years is reasonable, 10‐year outcomes remain challenging. Further studies are needed to investigate new treatment paradigms and risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We implemented a streamlined care pathway for patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal (TSA) pituitary surgery. Select patients are recovered in the postanesthesia care unit and transferred to a step-down unit for intermediate neurologic care (INCU), with clinicians trained to manage cerebrospinal fluid leak, diabetes insipidus (DI), and other complications. We evaluated all TSA surgeries performed at 1 academic medical center from 7th January, 2017 to 30th March, 2020, collecting patient factors, tumor characteristics, cost variables, and outcomes. The INCU pathway was implemented on 7th January 2018. Pathway patients were compared with nonpathway patients across the study period. Outcomes were assessed using multivariate regression, adjusting for patient and surgical characteristics, including intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative DI, and tumor dimensions. One hundred eighty-seven patients were identified. Seventy-nine were on the INCU pathway. Mean age was 53.5 years. Most patients were male (66%), privately insured (62%), and white (66%). Mean total cost of admission was $27,276. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 3.97 days. Use of the INCU pathway was associated with total cost reduction of $6376.33 (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: $3698.21–$9054.45) and LOS reduction by 1.27 days (P = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.33–2.20). In-hospital costs were reduced across all domains, including $1964.87 in variable direct labor costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $1142.08–$2787.64) and $1206.52 in variable direct supply costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $762.54–$1650.51). Pathway patients were discharged earlier despite a higher rate of postoperative DI (25% vs. 11%, P = 0.011), with fewer readmissions (0% vs. 6%, P = 0.021). A streamlined care pathway following TSA surgery can reduce in-hospital costs and LOS without compromising patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (SNACC) is a rare malignancy with a propensity for distant metastasis. In this study we describe the incidence and determinants of survival among patients with SNACC between the years 2004 and 2012 using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods: This was a retrospective, population‐based cohort study performed at a tertiary academic medical center. All participants were diagnosed with SNACC between 2004 and 2012 within the NCDB. The main outcome was overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 793 patients were identified. The cohort was composed of 46.9% males. Mean age at diagnosis was 59.6 years. The maxillary sinus was the most common primary site (49.7%). Nodal disease was seen in 3.6% of the patients, whereas 3.7% had distant metastases. Stage IV disease was seen in 49.1% of cases. In total, 77.4% of patients underwent surgery, 68.2% received radiation therapy, and 16.4% had chemotherapy. Median OS was 78.5 months; OS at 1, 2, and 5 years was 91%, 83%, and 61%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, advanced age (p = 0.001), frontal sinus primary site (p < 0.001), positive margins (p < 0.001), Charlson comorbidity index >0 (p = 0.01), residing in an urban setting (p = 0.04), poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumor grade (p = 0.003), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.01) were associated with worse OS, whereas surgery (p < 0.001), but not radiation therapy (p = 0.52) or chemotherapy (p = 0.57), predicted improved OS. Conclusion: Predictors of survival in SNACC include age, comorbidity status, grade, and stage. Surgery is associated with improved survival and remains the mainstay of therapy, whereas the roles of radiation therapy and chemotherapy require future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]