[Role of radiotherapy in esthesioneuroblastoma]

A case report on a locally advanced inoperable esthesioneuroblastoma in a patient of 65 years of age is presented. Chemotherapy (CYVADIC) resulted in a slight reduction of tumour mass and was followed by rapid tumour regrowth. By megavoltage radiotherapy (65 Gy) with shrinking field technique a clinically complete remission was achieved. The role of radiotherapy in long-term local tumour control in combination with surgery is discussed, taking into account the few date reported in literature. Depending on the tumour stage at diagnosis, a graduated strategy combining surgery and radiotherapy is recommended as the treatment of choice. The value of adjuvant chemotherapy has not yet been clearly established, not even in locally progressing or advanced stages of tumours or in metastasizing tumours.