Anterior Skull Base Tumors

Skull base tumors can broadly be categorized into anterior (front), posterior (back), and central tumors. Anterior skull base tumors can include sinus and nasal tumors, as well as olfactory neuroblastomas, which occur deeper in the skull between the eyes. While not all skull base tumors are cancerous, even noncancerous tumors may lead to harmful symptoms and thus warrant prompt evaluation and treatment.

Symptoms

Symptoms of skull base tumors generally appear slowly as the tumor grows, placing pressure on neural structures. Common symptoms of anterior skull base tumors may include:

  • Altered or weakened sense of taste and smell

  • Persistent nasal congestion

  • Headaches

  • Voice changes

  • Post-nasal drip

  • Facial pain/numbness

Causes

There are no known causes for anterior skull base tumors. However, the following factors may put you at greater risk for developing skull base tumors:

  • History of radiation therapy in the head, neck or brain

  • Exposure to certain chemicals, including vinyl chloride, arsenic and herbicides

  • Certain hereditary conditions

Treatment
Options

Treatment of anterior skull base tumors depends on the size, location and malignancy of the tumor, and may involve a combination of observation, radiation therapy and/or surgery. While a craniotomy may be advisable in certain cases, most skull base tumors can be treated with endoscopic surgeries through the nose.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are suffering from a anterior skull base tumor, the first step towards feeling better is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified and fellowship trained in rhinology, our physician at Sensa Health has extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide variety of nose conditions. Call or text our office at 213-267-2256 to schedule an appointment today.