Olfactory neuroblastoma—A clinical analysis of 17 cases

TLDR

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a radioresponsive tumor with variable aggressiveness and limited radiocurability. The study proposes a pretherapy staging system classifying tumors into Groups A, B, and C based on extent. The authors reviewed 17 cases from 1941–1971, collecting demographic, clinical, imaging, and treatment data to evaluate and propose a staging system. Thirteen of 17 patients (76 %) remained disease‑free after surgery, radiation, or combined therapy, while uncontrolled primary disease caused all failures, prompting the authors to propose a treatment policy.

Abstract

Seventeen patients with olfactory neuroblastoma seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary from 1941 to 1971 are presented. Data on age, sex, symptoms, physical, and roentgenographic findings, and therapeutic results are evaluated. A system of pretherapy staging is proposed in which for Group A, the tumor is limited to the nasal cavity; in group B, the tumor is localized to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses; and in group C, the tumor extends beyond the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Olfactory neuroblastoma is a radioresponsive, and, to a limited extent, radiocurable tumor and varies in aggressiveness. Of 17 patients in this series, 13 or 76% were alive without disease following treatment by surgery, irradiation, and combination of these two methods. Uncontrolled primary lesions with or without metastases accounted for all therapeutic failures. A treatment policy for this disease is presented.