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Nasal Cancer
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Ear Nose Throat

Nasal Cancer

Nasal cancer is a rare condition affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, often requiring specialized diagnostic testing and a combination of treatment approaches.

Overview

Your paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces around the nose. They are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps your nose from drying out. The nasal cavity is the passageway just behind your nose. Air passes through it on the way to your throat as you breathe.

Causes & Risk Factors

Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare. You are at greater risk if you are:

  • Male and over 40 years old
  • Exposed to certain workplace chemicals
  • Infected with HPV
  • A smoker

Diagnosis & Treatment

There may be no symptoms at first, and later symptoms can be like those of infections. Doctors diagnose nasal cancer with imaging tests, lighted tube-like instruments that look inside the nose, and biopsies. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Staging uses imaging (CT/MRI) and sometimes biopsies to determine tumor size, local spread, and lymph node involvement. The stage informs whether surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination is most appropriate, and it also helps predict prognosis and guide follow‑up intensity.
Surgery removes the tumor directly and is often first‑line for localized disease. Radiation targets remaining cancer cells post‑surgery or for inoperable tumors. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors or after (adjuvant) to eliminate microscopic disease. The choice depends on tumor size, location, patient health, and potential side effects. Doctors weigh these factors to tailor a balanced approach.
Persistent nasal congestion that doesn’t improve with over‑the‑counter treatments, unexplained nosebleeds, facial pain or swelling, a feeling of fullness in the face, or a change in voice quality are red flags. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, a prompt ENT evaluation is recommended.
Regular ENT check‑ups every 3–6 months for the first two years, then annually, are standard. Imaging studies may be scheduled to monitor for recurrence. Patients should also report new symptoms like facial pain, nasal obstruction, or hearing changes promptly, as these can signal late effects such as mucosal damage or secondary infections.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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