[Neurogenic tumors of the head and neck]

The authors present case studies of 65 patients with neurogenic tumors of the head and neck treated in the Department of Otolaryngology of the Medical University of Gdańsk in the years 1948-1993. Age and sex of patients, localization of tumor, symptoms, histopathology and treatment were analysed. This resulted in the noting of difficulties in diagnosis and in showing the importance of immunohistochemical examinations, CT, MRI, USG in the diagnostics of malignant neurogenic neoplasms. Patients with benign tumors, in the majority of cases, were subjected to surgery. Patients with malignant neoplasms were subjected to surgery combined with high voltage radiotherapy. The positive effect of combined chemotherapy in cases of esthesioneuroblastoma is worthy of note. The results of the treatment of benign tumors are positive, whereas in the case of malignant tumors--the results are still not satisfactory.