The risk of malignancy in primary atrophic rhinitis

الملخص EN

Metaplasia is a known predisposing factor to malignancy.

As squamous metaplasia is a regular feature of atrophic rhinitis, its relationship with cancer is examined in this cross-sectional study.

Methods : Random punch biopsies of nasal mucosa obtained from 20 patients (8 male and 12 female) suffering from primary atrophic rhinitis were studied.

Results : Squamous metaplasia was noted in 70%.

Epithelial dysplasia and in-situ malignant transformation were noted in two patients.

Conclusion : This study suggests that the association of atrophic rhinitis and pre-cancerous lesions appear to be more than coincidental and it deserves further studies.