Sinus cancer symptoms & treatment

Sinus cancer, which is sometimes called nasal or nose cancer, is the growth of malignant (cancerous) cells in any of the paranasal sinuses – hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones near the nose or the nasal cavity. It’s considered to be a type of head and neck cancer.

When you’re dealing with sinus cancer, you’ll find world-renowned cancer treatment and support services at Aurora Health Care.

Types of paranasal sinuses

You have four types of paranasal sinuses:

• Ethmoid sinuses: Beside the upper nose, between the eyes
• Frontal sinuses: In your lower forehead, above the nose
• Maxillary sinuses: In your cheekbones, on either side of the nose
• Sphenoid sinuses: Behind the nose, in the center of the skull

Symptoms of sinus cancer

Most sinus cancer is found in the sinuses in your cheekbones. Sinus cancer is most often found in men over the age of 40, although it can occur in males and females at any age.

In the early stages, you may have no sinus cancer symptoms. When symptoms start, they may look a lot like other sinus-related conditions. But these sinus symptoms don’t go away when they are treated. By the time cancer is diagnosed in your paranasal sinuses, it may already have spread and may be hard to cure.

Sinus cancer and maxillary sinus cancer symptoms include:

• Blocked sinuses
• Changes in vision, such as double vision
• Chronic headaches
• Lump on the face or roof of your mouth
• Lump or sore inside your nose or nasal cavities
• Nosebleed, especially from one nostril
• Pain in the upper teeth or loose teeth
• Pain or pressure in your ear
• Runny nose, especially on one side
• Sinus symptoms like pain or pressure
• Tingling or numbness in your face

Risk factors for sinus cancer

Risk factors for sinus cancer include:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumptions
• Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Having a job where you’re exposed to certain chemicals, dust or flour can increase your risk of this kind of head and neck cancer.

Diagnosis of sinus cancer

First, you’ll meet with your doctor for a physical exam. If your doctor finds possible signs of sinus cancer, they'll order more tests, including:

• Imaging tests: Scans including CT, MRI, PET scans and X-rays help confirm if a tumor exists and if it’s spread to other areas.
• Sinus endoscopy: A thin, lighted tube (nasoscope) is inserted into the nose. This allows your doctor to look for possible abnormal tissue inside your sinuses.
• Biopsy: We remove a small piece of tissue that’s suspected of being cancerous so it can be tested for cancer.

If your sinus symptoms and results from testing point to sinus cancer, your primary care physician is likely to refer you to a specialist in head and neck cancers for cancer treatment.

Treatment options for sinus cancer

The head and neck cancer specialists at Aurora will work with you to determine the best cancer treatment options. This will depend on the stage and grade of the cancer, if it’s spread and your general health.

Sinus cancer treatment may include:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery

If surgery for sinus cancer removes large areas of tissue or bone from your nasal cavities, you may need plastic surgery to repair or rebuild those areas. You may also need speech and language physical therapy to help with breathing, speaking and eating.

Other head and neck cancers may become more likely after your cancer treatment for sinus cancer. You’ll need frequent follow-up visits to be checked for recurring cancer or any new cancers.