[Treatment outcome and failure pattern of olfactory neuroblastoma: a clinical analysis of 14 cases and meta-analysis of Japanese cases].

The olfactory neuroblastoma, first described in 1924, is a rare tumor arising from the olfactory epithelium. Because of its rarity, it is difficult to accrue a large individual series. To elucidate the characteristics of olfactory neuroblastomas in Japan, we report herein on our institutional experience of 14 cases and reviewed 104 cases reported from Japan. In our cases, one out of nine surgically treated patients died during treatment and the remaining 8 patients are alive without disease. Among the five non-surgically treated patients, four patients experienced local treatment failure and the other one patient died of metastasis. In the 104 Japanese cases, 54 patients were treated with multimodality treatment including surgery and radiation. The 3-year overall survival rates for surgically treated patients and non-surgically treated patients were 85% and 73%, respectively. The prognostic factors for survival were modified Kadish stage, Hyams' grade and surgical treatment. Further investigation is required for the validation of endoscopic resection.