July 28, 2025 – 2:30 PM
A persistent snoring issue, initially dismissed as a minor inconvenience, was revealed to be a serious illness that was gradually consuming a British womanS skull. Claire Barbery,a 51-year-old from Newquay,United Kingdom,shared her harrowing experiance of being diagnosed with esthesioneuroblastoma,a rare cancer.
From Snoring to a Life-Threatening Diagnosis
Barbery’s health concerns began with nightly snoring, a new symptom for her. She also noticed she was waking up breathing through her mouth rather of her nose. Initially, she attributed the persistent nasal blockage to frequent COVID-19 testing, a routine part of her job at an elderly care home.
When a corticosteroid nasal spray failed to alleviate her symptoms, Barbery suspected a lingering effect from a previous COVID-19 infection. However, further medical investigation, including a biopsy and other tests, uncovered a far more serious condition.
A Rare Cancer and a Complex Recovery
Doctors diagnosed Barbery with esthesioneuroblastoma, a cancer that originates in the upper nasal cavity. The tumor,measuring five centimeters,had begun to erode the bone at the base of her skull. Fortunately, it was detected in time for treatment.
Barbery underwent a complex surgery to remove the tumor and the olfactory bulbs, resulting in the permanent loss of her sense of smell. The procedure also involved reconstructing the area between her nose and brain. Consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed reported that the surgery was successful and Barbery experienced no complications. Following the operation, she completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and remains under regular medical review.
