Sinonasal NUT Carcinoma: Delayed Diagnosis Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Review of the Literature

Head Neck Pathol. 2021 Dec;15(4):1409-1414. doi: 10.1007/s12105-021-01311-x. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Abstract

NUT carcinoma (NUT-C) is a relatively new malignancy that was recently listed in the 4th edition of the WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumors in 2017. NUT carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, poorly differentiated carcinoma genetically defined by chromosomal rearrangement of the nuclear protein in testis (NUTM1) gene. The prognosis is extremely poor, with a mean survival < 1 year. Recent publications suggest a multimodality treatment approach. In the existing literature, only a few reports of sinonasal NUT-C have been reported. Sinonasal NUT-C is considered a very rare entity, but because of its recent inclusion as a head and neck malignancy, its true prevalence is unknown. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with NUT-C of the sinonasal cavities. In the case reported, the coexistence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related nasal congestion delayed the diagnosis of NUT-C. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment modalities are discussed together with a review of the literature.

Keywords: COVID-19; NUT carcinoma; Nasal malignancies; Nose; Paranasal sinuses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Delayed Diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Pandemics
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / diagnosis
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / genetics
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / pathology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / therapy

Substances

  • NUTM1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins