Experiences with
Nasal and sinus cancerSymptoms of nasal and sinus cancer
The most common symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer are:
- a blocked nose that does not go away and usually only affects 1 side
- nosebleeds
- a decreased sense of smell
- mucus running from your nose – this can be bloody
- mucus draining into the back of your nose and throat
These symptoms can be similar to more common and less serious conditions, such as a cold or sinusitis.
At a later stage, symptoms can include:
- pain or numbness in the face, particularly in the upper cheek, that does not go away
- swollen glands in the neck
- partial loss of vision or double vision
- a bulging eye
- a watering eye that does not go away
- pain or pressure in 1 ear
- a persistent lump or growth on your face, nose or roof of your mouth
Risk groups for nasal and sinus cancer
Several factors are known to increase the risk of developing nasal and sinus cancer.
These include:
- prolonged exposure to certain substances through your work – including wood dust, leather dust, cloth fibres, nickel, chromium and formaldehyde
- smoking – the more you smoke, the higher your risk of developing several types of cancer, including nasal and sinus cancer
- human papillomavirus (HPV) – a group of viruses that affect the skin and moist membranes, such as the mouth and throat
Treatments for nasal and sinus cancer
The treatment recommended for you will depend on several factors, including the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, how far it's spread, and your general level of health.
Treatment may include:
- surgery to remove a tumour – this can be performed through open surgery or as keyhole surgery through the nose (endoscopic microsurgery)
- radiotherapy – where high-energy radiation is used to kill the cancerous cells, shrink a tumour before surgery, or destroy small pieces of a tumour that may be left after surgery
- chemotherapy – where medicine is used to help shrink or slow down the growth of a tumour, or reduce the risk of the cancer returning after surgery
If you smoke, it's important that you give up.
Smoking increases your risk of cancer returning and may cause you to have more side effects from treatment.
Your treatment will be organised by a head and neck cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT), who'll discuss the treatment options with you.
A combination of treatments will often be recommended.
SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesCommon symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer include a long-lasting blocked nose, frequent nosebleeds and a reduced sense of smell.
Treatments for nasal and sinus cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
You're more at risk of nasal and sinus cancer if you work with certain substances (such as wood dust or certain metals) or you smoke.
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