What Is Esthesioneuroblastoma?
Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), also known as olfactory neuroblastoma, is a tumor in the upper nasal cavity, close to where it meets the brain. The tumor can spread to the sinuses, lymph nodes in the neck or the brain. This kind of cancer can occur in all ages.
What Are the Causes of Esthesioneuroblastoma?
No specific cause of this tumor has been identified. It is an extremely rare tumor, accounting for less than five percent of tumors.
Symptoms of Esthesioneuroblastoma
Common symptoms of esthesioneuroblastoma include:
- Nosebleeds
- Loss of smell
- Breathing problems
- Congestion
- Facial swelling
- Neurological problems
- Headache
- Eye pain
Diagnosis and Testing
To diagnose esthesioblastoma, the following may be performed:
- Physical exam
-
Imaging
- Endoscopy – a small scope with a camera at the tip is inserted in the nose so the doctor may see inside
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy
Following diagnosis, the following tests may be performed to pinpoint the location of the cancer and to determine whether it has spread:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- Ultrasound
- Bone scan
- Biopsy
Treatment of Esthesioneuroblastoma
Treatments for esthesioneuroblastoma include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
Surgery can resolve minor tumors; otherwise radiation may be effective. Aggressive radiation and chemotherapy can be effective in more advanced tumors but requires following up for several years after the first occurrence.
