Esthesioneuroblastoma

Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare cancer that starts in the upper part of the nasal cavity. It usually affects people in their 50s or 60s, but can happen at any age.

Although a less common cancer relative to others in this part of the body, esthesioneuroblastoma also has very peculiar patterns of growth and spread. It can have varying levels of aggressive behavior. By looking at cancer cells under a microscope physicians can predict how it will behave in some people. They are also locally aggressive, but can present in lymph nodes in the neck either at the first sign of symptoms, or years later. Treatment focuses on treating the areas where disease is found, and sometimes in areas where disease may occur later in life.