Maxillary neoplasm
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
There are various forms of maxillary cancer, the most common being squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma. Other possible types are adenocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, adenomatoid odontogenic keratocyst, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and malignant melanoma on rare occasions.
Maxillary cancer is about twice as common in men than women; it is also seen more in people aged 55 years and older, in Asian countries, and in White people. Patients with chronic sinusitis and those with the hereditary form of retinoblastoma have a higher risk of maxillary cancer. Other risk factors for this cancer include workplace exposure to certain chemicals (wood dusts, flour, leather dusts, formaldehyde, nickel, and chromium dust), tobacco use, human papillomavirus (HPV), and alcohol use.
Early findings may include maxillary pain, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and teeth mobility. As the cancer progresses, facial edema, jaw / oral pain, paresthesias, epistaxis, dyspnea, dysphagia, weight loss, and diplopia can be seen. Surgery and reconstruction may be required.
Codes
ICD10CM:C31.0 – Malignant neoplasm of maxillary sinus
SNOMEDCT:
126550004 – Neoplasm of maxilla
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Osteosarcoma
- Osteoma
- Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor – More common in females younger than 30 years; appears as a circumscribed, uniocular radiolucency under the tooth
- Odontogenic keratocyst
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- Inverted papilloma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Myxoma – Found in young adults aged 25-30 years; located in the posterior mandible; can be multilocular or unilocular; is radiolucent with a "soap bubble" appearance
- Paget disease – Most often occurs in middle-aged adults; usually impacts the middle third of the maxilla
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:09/26/2022
Last Updated:10/25/2022
Last Updated:10/25/2022