Esthesioneuroblastoma: 10 Critical Symptoms You Need to Know

Imagine a silent invader, starting in the hidden recesses of your nasal cavity, just behind your nose. This isn't your average sinus infection. We're talking about esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), a notoriously rare and often insidious cancer. It quietly emerges from the very nerves that give you your sense of smell, sometimes called olfactory neuroblastoma. While a thin bone usually separates this delicate area from your brain, this aggressive tumor can breach that barrier, stealthily extending its reach into your brain, eyes, or sinuses. In advanced stages, it can even spread to distant parts of your body, making early detection incredibly vital. Treatment typically involves a powerful combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but the key is catching it before it takes hold.

1. 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.

2. 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.