Vol.95 No.5 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 95 No. 5 May 2002
Chemotherapy for Olfactory Neuroblastoma; A Case Report
Yuka Iwahashi, Hiroyuki Kitamura, Shin-ichi Takagita and Masakazu Miyazaki
(Tenri Hospital)
Isao Matsumoto
(Matsumoto Otorhinolaryngological Clinic)
Toshiki Maetani
(Kobe City General Hospital)
Norio Yamamoto
(Kyoto University)
Olfactory neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor that arises from the olfactory epithelium. In most cases, the tumor is considered to be radiosensitive, and the therapy is usually a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Although the efficacy of chemotherapy is currently unclear, we recently treated a 36-year-old male with olfactory neuroblastoma who had a good response to cyclophosphamide. This case was initially treated with radiation, chemothrapy (cisplatin), and surgery. After this initial treatment, he suffered from severe stomachaches owing to Henoch-Schonlein purpura.
During that time, cancer treatment fell behind schedule and residual tumors increased. He was treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrosis owing to purpura and the residual tumors markedly decreased. He was treated with 4 series of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and complete remission was obtained.
Key words : olfactory neuroblastoma, chemotherapy, cyclophosphamide