A rare case of P63-negative sinonasal NUT midline carcinoma in the elderly

Abstract

A nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma arises from squamous cells and is often located in the head, neck, and lungs. This report focuses on the negative p63 mutation and older age at the diagnosis of a NUT carcinoma, which has significant prognostic implications. A 62-year-old patient presented initially with a three-year history of recurring frontal headaches, intermittent nasal bleeding, and a sensation of a nasal cavity mass. An incisional biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated NUT carcinoma in the left maxillary sinus. A functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed, but the cancer recurred. As a result, a total maxillectomy was performed, and the patient was declared cancer-free with no evidence of residual disease. This is a rare instance of a p63-negative midline NUT cell carcinoma (NCC) in an elderly patient, which could potentially contribute to a more favourable prognosis and longer survival compared to other reported cases.

Keywords

• cytokeratin
• nut midline carcinoma (nmc)
• squamous cell carcinoma
• p63
• head and neck