General Information About Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity.

Paranasal sinuses

"Paranasal" means near the nose. The para sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose. The sinuses are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps the inside of the nose from drying out during breathing.

There are several para sinuses named after the bones that surround them:

• The frontal sinuses are in the lower forehead above the nose.
• The maxillary sinuses are in the cheekbones on either side of the nose.
• The ethmoid sinuses are beside the upper nose, between the eyes.
• The sphenoid sinuses are behind the nose, in the center of the skull.

Nasal cavity

The nose opens into the nasal cavity, which is divided into two nasal passages. Air moves through these passages during breathing. The nasal cavity lies above the bone that forms the roof of the mouth and curves down at the back to join the throat. The area just inside the nostrils is called the nasal vestibule. A small area of special cells in the roof of each nasal passage sends signals to the brain to give the sense of smell.

Together the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs. The movement of air through the sinuses and other parts of the respiratory system help make sounds for talking.

Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is a type of head and neck cancer.

Different types of cells in the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity may become malignant.

The most common type of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity.

Other types of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer include the following:

• Melanomas: Cancer that starts in cells called melanocytes, the cells that give skin its natural color.
• Sarcomas: Cancer that starts in muscle or connective tissue.
• Inverting papillomas: Benign tumors that form inside the nose. A small number of these change into cancer.
• Midline granulomas: Cancer of tissues in the middle part of the face.

Being exposed to certain chemicals or dust in the workplace can increase the risk of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer.

Anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Not every person with one or more of these risk factors will develop paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer, and it will develop in people who don't have any known risk factors. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer include the following:

• Being exposed to certain workplace chemicals or dust, such as those found in the following jobs:
  • Furniture-making.
  • Sawmill work.
  • Woodworking (carpentry).
  • Shoemaking.
  • Metal-plating.
  • Flour mill or bakery work.
• Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Being male and older than 40 years.
• Smoking.

Signs and symptoms of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer include sinus problems and nosebleeds.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer or by other conditions. There may be no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Signs and symptoms may appear as the tumor grows. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Blocked sinuses that do not clear, or sinus pressure.
• Headaches or pain in the sinus areas.
• A runny nose.
• Nosebleeds.
• A lump or sore inside the nose that does not heal.
• A lump on the face or roof of the mouth.
• Numbness or tingling in the face.
• Swelling or other trouble with the eyes, such as double vision or the eyes pointing in different directions.
• Pain in the upper teeth, loose teeth, or dentures that no longer fit well.
• Pain or pressure in the ear.

Tests that examine the sinuses and nasal cavity are used to diagnose paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer.

In addition to asking about your personal and family health history and doing a physical exam, your doctor may perform the following tests and procedures:

• Physical exam of the nose, face, and neck: An exam in which the doctor looks into the nose with a small, long-handled mirror to check for abnormal areas and checks the face and neck for lumps or swollen lymph nodes.
• X-rays of the head and neck: An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
• Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. There are three types of biopsy:
  • Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle.
  • Incisional biopsy: The removal of part of an area of tissue that doesn’t look normal.
  • Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire area of tissue that doesn’t look normal.
• Nasoscopy: A procedure to look inside the nose for abnormal areas. A nasoscope is inserted into the nose. A nasoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. A special tool on the nasoscope may be used to remove samples of tissue. The tissues samples are viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.
• Laryngoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor checks the larynx (voice box) with a mirror or a laryngoscope to check for abnormal areas. A laryngoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing the inside of the throat and voice box. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis and treatment options depend on the following:

• Where the tumor is in the paranasal sinus or nasal cavity and whether it has spread.
• The size of the tumor.
• The type of cancer.
• The patient's age and general health.
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers often have spread by the time they are diagnosed and are hard to cure. After treatment, a lifetime of frequent and careful follow-up is important because there is an increased risk of developing a second kind of cancer in the head or neck.