Introduction
Sinus cancer develops in the hollow spaces between your eyes, cheekbone, and forehead joints. Also, it accounts for 3 to 5% of all head and neck malignancies and, if not treated early, can have long-term and fatal consequences.
Sinus cancer frequently stays undiscovered until symptoms appear, and when they do, they often resemble common benign diseases, for example, cold or the flu.
In this article, you will learn the signs and symptoms to look for if you fear you have sinus cancer so that you may get treatment as soon as possible.
Sinus Cancer and Its Types
Nasal or sinus cancer affects your nasal cavity (space behind a nose) and sinuses (hollow spaces behind cheekbones, eyes, and forehead).
Sinus cancer is classified according to the cells involved. Also, sino-nasal malignancies come in a variety of forms, including
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is a type of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma.
- Cystic cell carcinoma of the adnexa: This cancer is extremely rare.
- Acinic cell carcinoma
- Undifferentiated cancer of the sinuses.
Causes
Although there is no known cause for all sinus cancers, research suggests that some environmental variables, such as heavy exposure to certain industrial toxins, may increase the risk of getting sinus cancer. For example, higher risks of nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma have been linked to the following substances:
- Dust from wood
- Dust from leather
- Compounds of nickel (a metal used to make stainless steel)
- Production of isopropyl alcohol (often used in household products and manufacturing processes)
- 226 and 228 radium (radioactive metals, which can be found in old houses with cracks in the foundation, and at low levels in nature)
Additionally, sinus carcinoma can also be caused by the following factors:
- Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Tobacco smoking
Symptoms
Small nasal cancer rarely causes symptoms and is frequently discovered when your doctor is looking for something else. Also, sinus cancer is usually discovered when you have one or more problems in your body’s head and neck area.
Sinus cancer signs and symptoms are usually limited to one side and include:
- Congestion and stuffiness in the nose that does not improve or worsen.
- Pain in the upper or lower eyelids.
- One side of the nose is blocked.
- Nasal bleeding regularly
- Your nose is streaming with mucus.
- Nasal drip (post-nasal drip) (mucus draining into the back of your nose and throat)
- Have issues with your sense of smell
- Parts of the face are numb or painful.
- Teeth loosening or numbness
- A lump or mass on the face, the palate (the roof of the mouth), or the inside of the nose.
- Watery eyes regularly
- One eyeball bulge
- Vision loss or change
- In one of your ears, there is pain or pressure.
- Hearing loss is a common problem.
- Headache
- Have difficulty expanding your mouth
- Neck lymph nodes enlargement (seen or felt as lumps under the skin)
You may also have the following symptoms in the later stages:
- Face pain or numbness, especially in the upper cheek
- Swollen neck glands
- Double vision or partial vision loss
- A dilated pupil or a constantly watering eye
- In one ear, there is pain or pressure.
How common is it?
Sinus cancer is not very common. But it makes up 3 to 5% of all head and neck cancers. If left untreated, it can have long-term and fatal effects. Around 2,000 people are diagnosed with nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer each year.
Treatment Options
Depending on the particular type of cancer present and the amount to which cancer has spread, various treatments for sinus cancer may be used.
Sinus cancer treatment aims to either cure cancer permanently or bring it to complete remission.
Treatment options for sinus carcinoma include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Reconstruction of body components to treat cancer.
- Surgical removal of the malignancy and assessment of how far it has spread.
Other sinus cancer treatments.
- If nausea arises, antinausea drugs should be taken.
- Whereas if the number of white blood cells becomes too low, blood cell growth agents can help.
- Dietary counseling to aid in the maintenance of strength and nutrition
- As needed, pain medicines to improve comfort
- Physical therapy can help with eating, swallowing, and speaking after surgery.
Conclusion
Many symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed as a cold, allergies, or sinusitis. However, see your doctor if any of the following symptoms continue or do not improve with routine therapy.
Lowering your chances of getting sinus cancer is possible. Also, you may reduce your risk of sinus cancer by doing:
- Avoiding or taking measures against specific chemical exposures at work
- Do not consume tobacco products
- Cutting back on alcohol consumption, etc.