About Sinus Tumors
Nasal and sinus tumors are benign or cancerous tumors that occur in the nose or sinuses.
Cancerous nasal cavity or sinus tumors are rare, with only about 2,000 being diagnosed in the United States each year. Approximately 60 to 70% of these types of tumors occur in the maxillary sinus in the cheek, while 20 to 30% are in the nasal cavity and 10 to 15% are in the ethmoid sinuses on either side of the nose. Cancer is extremely rare in the sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoid sinuses and in the frontal sinuses in the forehead.
Types of Sinus Tumors
Viral infections can cause papillomas, wartlike growths in the nose or sinuses. Although about 10% are cancerous, most are benign. There are several types of noncancerous tumors that, although they do not spread, can cause damage if not treated.
These are the types of cancer that can occur in the nasal cavity or the sinuses:
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Adenocarcinoma
About 10 to 20% occur in the sinus lining.
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Esthesioneuroblastomas
Develop from the nerves at the base of the skull, where they enter the nasal cavity and provide a sense of smell.
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Lymphomas
About 5% of such cancers are caused by cells in the immune or lymphatic system.
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Melanomas
About 3% arise from cells in the sinus lining that contain pigment and are very aggressive.
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
About 70% of such cancers occur in the respiratory tract.
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Osteomas
Usually do not cause any symptoms, but they can impede the frontal, ethmoid or maxillary sinuses. If an osteoma does cause such an obstruction, it needs to be removed surgically.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Sinus Tumors
Although many sinus or nasal cancers exhibit no symptoms, certain prolonged symptoms may indicate cancer, including:
- Growth in face, nose, palate or neck
- Difficulty hearing
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Double or blurred vision
- Frequent and persistent nosebleeds
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Pain in the forehead, cheek, nose or around eyes or ear
- Watery eyes
- Numbness or pain in face or teeth
- Persistent nasal congestion
- Post-nasal drip at the back of the throat
- Recurrent ear infections
Men are more likely to get sinus cancer than women.
The most common age for diagnosis of the condition is in the 50s and 60s.
Smoking and tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for nose and sinus cancer, as well as other cancers of the respiratory tract. Exposure to dusts from wood, leather or textiles, as well as inhaling vapors from glue, formaldehyde, solvents, nickel, chromium, rubbing alcohol and radium appears to increase the risk of such cancers. Avoiding exposure to these risk factors can reduce the risk of sinus or nasal cancer, especially avoiding tobacco smoke.
Your Team of Sinus Tumor Experts
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, rest assured that the specialized care you need is close to home. Our experienced oncologists treat sinus tumors with expertise and compassion, and will design a treatment plan that considers your comfort, safety and whole-person health.
Find Us in Your Community
Across the nation, each of our locations offering cancer treatment contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Cancer Institute network. Explore your options for care close to home with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.