Esthesioneuroblastoma classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

Based on the duration of symptoms, esthesioneuroblastoma may be classified into two subtypes: neuroblastoma proper and neuroendocrine carcinomas.^[1]

• Neuroblastoma proper
  • Neuroblastoma proper has a histologic presentation similar to that of peripheral neuroblastomas of childhood.
  • Esthesioneuroblastoma is composed of sheets of poorly demarcated groups of cells separated by fine connective tissue trabeculae.
  • The cells are small and typically show no mitotic activity between the cells.
  • Rosettes of the Homer-Wright type are present.
  • On electronic microscopy, there is the presence of a dendritic cytoplasmic process with accumulations of small core granules within the process.
  • Neuroblastomas proper contain fibrillary material.

• Neuroendocrine carcinomas
  • Neuroendocrine carcinoma is admixture with glands.
  • A neurofibrillary component is absent and the growth pattern is that of solid nests without rosettes.
  • Dense core granules similar to those of neuroblastomas are present in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic extensions.

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