Cancer of the nose and sinus
Overview
The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.
- Nasal and sinus cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the space behind your nose (nasal cavity) or in your sinuses.
- The nasal cavity and sinuses help with your breathing and your sense of smell. They also help protect your airways from infection.
- How serious nasal and sinus cancer is depends on whether it has spread to other parts of your head and neck, or to other parts of your body.
- Nasal and sinus cancer is usually treated with surgery. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used.
Symptoms
Main symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer
In its early stages, nasal and sinus cancer will usually affect just your nose. It can cause symptoms such as:
- a blocked nose on one side of your nose that does not go away
- nosebleeds
- some loss of smell
- mucus running out of your nose or down your throat – the mucus may have blood in it
As the cancer grows it can affect your eyesight and cause
- double vision
- watering of one of your eyes
- bulging eyes
- some loss of vision
Other symptoms
If the cancer spreads into other parts of your head and neck, then it can cause other symptoms. These include:
- pain and numbness in your face that does not go away
- difficulty opening your mouth
- one or more of your teeth become loose
- pain or a feeling or pressure in one of your ears
- swollen neck glands
- a lump on your face, nose, or the roof of your mouth
See a GP if:
- you suddenly get vision problems such as double vision
- you have symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer that get worse or do not get better after a few weeks
Important
Many of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions.
Having them does not definitely mean you have nasal and sinus cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.
This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.
What happens at your GP appointment
The GP may look inside your nose, mouth and throat. They may also check the glands in your neck for any swelling.
The GP may refer you for blood tests and X-rays.
Referral to a specialist
You may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if the GP thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Find out more
Causes
Who is more likely to get nasal and sinus cancer
Anyone can get nasal and sinus cancer. It is not always clear what causes it.
You might be more likely to get it if you:
- smoke
- you have human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common virus spread through skin to skin contact of the genital area, often during sex
- you work, or have worked, in a job where you might breathe in things like dust from wood, leather or textiles, nickel compounds or isopropyl alcohol
- you had radiotherapy in the past to treat retinoblastoma (a rare type of eye cancer that affects young children)
How to reduce your chances of getting nasal and sinus cancer
You cannot always prevent nasal and sinus cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting it.
Do
- wear protective masks if you work in a job where it is likely you will be breathing in things such as wood dust
- try to quit smoking
- use condoms when having any kind of sex, to lower your chance of getting HPV
- protect yourself from getting HPV by getting the HPV vaccination if you can
Important
It's important to get any symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer checked by a GP.
Anyone can get nasal and sinus cancer, even if you do not think you have a higher chance of getting it.
Tests
Tests and next steps for nasal and sinus cancer
Main tests for nasal and sinus cancer
You may be referred to a specialist for tests if a GP thinks you might have nasal and sinus cancer.
These tests can include:
- using a tube that has a camera and light inside it to look inside your nose and throat (nasoendoscopy)
- taking a small sample of cells from the space behind your nose and your sinuses (called a biopsy), to be checked for cancer
- using an ultrasound scan to check for any changes to the lymph nodes (part of the body's immune system) in your neck
Getting your results
A nurse or doctor will usually be able to explain the results of the nasoendoscopy or ultrasound scan to you on the same day.
You will probably have to wait for between 1 to 2 weeks for the results of a biopsy.
Try not to worry if your results are taking longer to get to you. It does not mean anything is definitely wrong.
You can call the hospital or GP if you are worried. They should be able to update you.
If you're told you have nasal and sinus cancer
Being told you have nasal and sinus cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.
It can help to bring someone with you to any appointments you have.
A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.
You can ask them any questions you have.
Get support
Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline that's open every day from 8am to 8pm.
They're there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about.
Call 0808 808 00 00
Next steps
If you've been told you have nasal and sinus cancer, you may need a CT scan and an MRI scan.
These scans, along with the tests you've already had, will help the specialists find out the size of the cancer and how far it's spread (called the stage).
The specialist will use the results of these scans and tests to decide on the best treatment for you.
Treatment
Main treatments for nasal and sinus cancer
The treatment you’ll have for nasal and sinus cancer depends on:
- the size of the cancer and where it is
- if it’s spread to other parts of your body
- your age and general health
Most people will need surgery. Some people may also benefit from radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
You may be given a combination of chemotherapy medicine and a course of radiotherapy at the same time. This treatment is called chemoradiation.
Your specialist treatment team will:
- explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
- work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
- help you to manage the side effects of treatment
- help and support you during your recovery if you have surgery
If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.
Surgery
Surgery for nasal and sinus cancer involves the surgeon removing the cancer from the head and neck.
There are several ways surgery can be done, but they may involve removing some healthy tissue along with the cancer.
The surgeon will usually need to repair or rebuild any damage. This may be done at the same time as surgery to remove the cancer or may need further surgery.
In some cases, surgery for nasal and sinus cancer may be extensive and you may need to get a prosthetic, such as a false nose afterwards.
Most surgery for nasal and sinus cancer will leave you with some scarring and changes to how you look. Scarring can often fade with time.
You may also need to have some lymph nodes in your neck, which are part of the body's immune system, removed.
Your specialist team will be able to provide more information on surgery and how it may affect you afterwards.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells. A machine is used to target beams of radiation directly at tumours.
You may be given radiotherapy:
- after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back
- on its own to treat the cancer – this is usually only possible if the cancer was diagnosed at an early stage
- to help manage symptoms of cancer that is not possible to cure
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells.
You may be given chemotherapy:
- before surgery to help shrink the tumour
- to treat cancer that comes back after surgery
- to help slow the growth of advanced cancer
What happens if you’ve been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you have advanced nasal and sinus cancer it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.
If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.
Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.
They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.
Help and support
Where to find help and support
If you have nasal and sinus cancer, your specialist treatment team will be there to support you throughout your treatment. They will also be able to give you information about local support services you may find helpful.
There are also national cancer charities that can offer support and information about nasal and sinus cancer.
The Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity
Information and support for people affected by head and neck cancers, including nasal and sinus cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Cancer Research UK
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Marie Curie
Care and support for anyone affected by terminal illness
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by 
NHS website nhs.uk
Last Updated:
01/10/2025 10:24:57