Esthesioneuroblastoma: is there a role for elective neck treatment?

A retrospective review of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center experience (MSKCC) with esthesioneuroblastoma was performed. From 1975 to 1985 14 cases were identified. Overall 5- and 10-year survival was 86% and 70%, respectively. Four local failures were observed and 4 neck failures were observed. A review of the literature since 1966 revealed an unexpectedly high incidence of neck failure, and of the 21 of 110 patients with neck failures that were identified through the literature, there were 6 subsequent deaths.