Esthesioneuroblastoma: the massachusetts eye and ear infirmary and massachusetts general hospital experience with craniofacial resection, proton beam radiation, and chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of craniofacial resection and proton radiation for the management of esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB).


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients presenting with ENB and completely managed at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) from 1997 to 2006.


METHODS
A tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Disease-free and overall survival.


METHODS
All patients presenting with ENB and completely managed at the MGH and the MEEI from 1997 to 2006.


RESULTS
Ten patients were identified with a median follow-up time of 52.8 months. Average age at presentation was 45 years. Nasal obstruction was the most common presenting symptom. Three patients presented with Kadish stage B disease and seven with stage C. No patient had evidence of cervical or metastatic disease at presentation. Seven patients were treated with craniofacial resections (CFR) followed by proton beam radiation with or without chemotherapy. Three patients were treated with initial chemotherapy with no response. They subsequently underwent CFR followed by proton beam radiation. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 90% and 85.7%, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier analysis. No patient suffered any severe radiation toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
ENB can be safely and effectively treated with CFR followed by proton beam irradiation. Proton irradiation may be associated with less toxicity than photon irradiation. The role of chemotherapy remains unclear.
Nichols
Anthony C
AC
Department of Otology and Laryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.
Chan
Annie W
AW
Curry
William T
WT
Barker
Fred G
FG
Deschler
Daniel G
DG
Lin
Derrick T
DT