Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare cancerous tumor that grows in the nasal cavity, causing difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, and loss of smell. It can spread if left untreated. The causes are unknown, but genetics and environmental toxins may play a role. Diagnosis involves examination and imaging tests, and treatment usually involves surgical removal and chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Esthesioneuroblastoma is a type of cancerous tumor that arises deep within the nasal cavity. A tumor can grow very quickly and block the nasal passages, causing difficulty breathing and frequent nosebleeds. Esthesioneuroblastoma is a very rare condition and the symptoms it causes are often attributed to more common nasal problems such as sinusitis and chronic respiratory infections. If left untreated, cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Surgical excision is usually successful if a tumor is found early, although extensive chemotherapy may be needed if it has already begun to spread.
The exact causes of esthesioneuroblastoma are poorly understood. Because only a small number of cases have been discovered, few clinical trials and research projects have been conducted to learn more about potential risk factors. A combination of genetics and exposure to environmental toxins such as pollution and cigarette smoke is likely involved.
An esthesioneuroblastoma typically occurs in the uppermost part of the nasal cavity. Cancer cells originate in the soft, lubricated tissue called the olfactory epithelium that lines the cavity and contributes to the sense of smell. Most tumors grow very slowly, taking two to three years before becoming large enough to cause physical symptoms.
Once a tumor begins to grow, it can block the nasal passages and cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues. As a result, a person may experience problems inhaling and exhaling through the nose and a decreased sense of smell. Chronic nosebleeds, watery eyes, and sneezing attacks are common. As a tumor continues to grow and the cancer begins to spread, a person may have flu-like symptoms and swelling in the face and neck. Loss of smell, taste, and even vision is possible if esthesioneuroblastoma is not discovered and treated early.
A doctor who suspects esthesioneuroblastoma can conduct a thorough examination using mirrors and lights in the nostrils. He or she may also order x-rays and computed tomography scans of the head. If a mass is found, a tissue biopsy is taken and studied in a hospital laboratory to confirm the presence of cancer.
Most small tumors can be removed surgically. A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that involves manipulating surgical tools through the nostril is usually effective, although open surgery may need to be done if a tumor is buried deep within the tissue. If the cancer persists or spreads, several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are usually given to try to kill the remaining cancer cells.
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