Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer at a Glance

• Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is a disease in which the cancers grow within the bony confines of the sinuses and are often asymptomatic until they erode and invade adjacent structures.
• The majority of tumors of the paranasal sinuses present with advanced disease, and cure rates are generally poor (≤50%).
• Risk factors for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer include exposure to certain workplace chemicals or dust, being male and older than 40 years, smoking.
• Symptoms of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer include blocked sinuses that do not clear or sinus pressure; headaches or pain in the sinus areas; 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.

Anatomy of Paranasal Sinuses

"Paranasal" means near the nose. The paranasal 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 paranasal 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.

Types of Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

The most common type of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer forms in the squamous cells (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:

• Melanoma: Cancer that starts in cells called melanocytes, the cells that give skin its natural color.
• Sarcoma: Cancer that starts in muscle or connective tissue.
• Inverting papilloma: 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.

Risk Factors

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. 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 male and older than 40 years.
• Smoking