Endonasal endoscopic resection and radiotherapy in olfactory neuroblastoma: our experience.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a bimodal method of treatment consisting in endoscopic resection followed by radiotherapy in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ON).

METHODS: This is a retrospective review on 10 patients with ON treated at a tertiary referral center. All the patients were treated with endonasal endoscopic resection, and 1 refused postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTS: No mortality was observed. Local tumor control was obtained in all the patients. Follow-up ranged from 15 to 79 months (median, 37 months). One patient developed a regional recurrence and for this was treated with bilateral, modified type III radical neck dissection plus radiotherapy on the neck. All patients regained a good quality of life after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: This method of treatment causes minimal injury to the patients, reduces side effects, and improves the quality of life of those with olfactory neuroblastoma.