Esthesioneuroblastoma

Esthesioneuroblastoma (es-THEE-zee-oh-NOOR-oh-blas-TOH-muh) is a rare type of head and neck cancer. Healthcare providers may call it olfactory neuroblastoma. In esthesioneuroblastoma, you have cancerous tumors in your nasal cavities, which are hollow areas inside your nose. The tumors affect nerves and tissues that are responsible for your sense of smell.

This condition mostly affects adults, but it can affect children and adolescents. Healthcare providers treat it with surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy. Esthesioneuroblastoma may grow back (recur), so healthcare providers recommend people have regular checkups to confirm it hasn’t come back.

How common is esthesioneuroblastoma?

It’s rare, affecting about 1 in 2.5 million people worldwide each year. Most people are in their 50s to 70s when they receive their diagnosis, but it can affect children and teenagers. Esthesioneuroblastoma is the most common cancer of the nasal cavity in children and adolescents.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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