Brain radiation necrosis following treatment of an esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neurocytoma)

Abstract

Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant nasal tumor which may be difficult to diagnose. Once diagnosed, selection of treatment may be a dilemma. Some advocate preoperative radiation and surgery; others, surgery and postoperative radiation if needed. A case that developed brain necrosis from postoperative radiation is presented. It is felt that the possibility exists that the patient might still be living with tumor had irradiation not been given. This is a plea for the conservative approach to treatment. The author agrees with John S. Lewis that it is unwise to use all modalities at once as there is no definite evidence that any one method of treatment or a combination of surgery and irradiation will alter the prognosis. The paper stresses the brain hazards of irradiation.