Surgical resection of esthesioneuroblastoma metastasis to the chest wall

A 51-year-old female patient was evaluated for a painful chest wall mass causing atelectasis of the right lung, pleural effusion, and dyspnea. The patient's history was significant for esthesioneuroblastoma at the age of 24; multiple recurrences of the tumor had been treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Surgical resection of the chest wall mass relieved her symptoms and improved her quality of life. Histologic examination confirmed metastatic esthesioneuroblastoma. The patient developed generalized disease and finally died 2 years after surgery. This case demonstrates the long natural history of this rare neoplasm and the need for close follow-up of patients so that they can be treated early.