Key Symptoms Of Esthesioneuroblastoma
Esthesioneuroblastoma is arare cancer that begins in an individual's upper nasal cavity. This area is kept separate from the brain through a bone, which has tiny holes to allow olfactory nerves to pass through. The disease is sometimes called olfactory neuroblastoma since it affects the olfactory nerves. Adults can experience the disease at any age. The tumor inside the nasal cavity might extend into the brain, eyes, and sinuses. When cases are advanced, the disease might spread to other portions of the brain and other body systems. Treatment for esthesioneuroblastoma usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
There are a number of symptoms to look out for. Get to know them now.
Ear And Eye Pain
Ear and eye pain occur when the tumor spreads from the nasal cavity into the skull. This typically happens when esthesioneuroblastoma spreads to the visual nerves and hearing nerves in the skull. There has been at least one case where a patient's first indication of esthesioneuroblastoma was losing vision in both eyes. The pain increased progressively as the cancer continued to spread. Because the eyes aren't the original place where esthesioneuroblastoma occurs, the condition may be misdiagnosed as another cancer at first. It's important for patients to receive imaging tests that explain their eye pain, ear pain, and any other unusual pain. Because eye and ear pain are both indicators esthesioneuroblastoma has spread beyond one part of the body, diagnosis and treatment should happen as quickly as possible to achieve the best prognosis.
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Frequent Nosebleeds
Frequent nosebleeds are one of the most common symptoms of esthesioneuroblastoma. They may occur in the disease's early stages, before the cancer has spread beyond the olfactory nerves. Nosebleeds are caused by the tumor's progression. In children, esthesioneuroblastoma is the tumor most commonly found in the nasal cavity, particularly with teenagers. It's important for patients or their guardians to talk to a doctor if they are experiencing consistent nosebleeds. A doctor will examine a patient's nasal cavity to try to find abnormalities and provide a diagnosis. Patients will receive a physical exam, and the doctor will take their medical history. An MRI and CT scan can also be used to create detailed images.
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Troubles Breathing Through The Nose
Patients with esthesioneuroblastoma may experience troubles breathing through the nose, as the tumor may block one or both nostrils. In addition, if the tumor spreads to the sinuses, patients may experience sinus pain or pressure without any explanation. Some individuals may believe they have a sinus infection or other milder illness, but it's important to see a doctor if one or both nostrils are blocked without any presentation of mucus. This symptom often occurs alongside bleeding in the nose. Cancer usually begins when a genetic mutation causes cells to grow and reproduce without receiving signals to stop. The abnormal cells then form a tumor, which can invade nearby structures and other organ systems in the body.
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Loss Of The Sense Of Smell
Loss of the sense of smell is another one of the most common indicators of esthesioneuroblastoma. Sometimes this occurs because the tumor is blocking one or both nasal passages, so the olfactory nerves can't be stimulated. In other cases, damage to the olfactory nerves destroys a person's ability to scent things. The symptom most commonly experienced is chronic congestion on one side of a patient's nose. Many patients don't seek medical treatment when this is the only symptom, but when individuals fail to seek medical treatment until more serious symptoms occur, the disease has a chance to spread much farther. Doctors may refer patients to a neurologist to double-check a diagnosis.
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Vision Loss
Vision loss is another symptom patients may experience when esthesioneuroblastoma spreads to other parts of the nervous system. This is typically coupled with eye pain and headaches. The tumor can destroy visual nerves and cause pressure against the eyes and skull, and some patients present with a bulging eye due to the tumor behind it. If someone experiences sudden pain in one or both eyes, coupled with the partial or total loss of vision, they should see a specialist immediately. Even if the condition isn't caused by cancer, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to save as much vision as possible.