Cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare. About 2,000 people in the United States develop cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus each year. Men are about 50% more likely than women to get this cancer. Nearly 80% of the people who get this cancer are between the ages of 45 and 85. These cancers also occur much more often in certain areas of the world such as Japan and South Africa.

About 30% to 40% of cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses occur in the maxillary sinus, 40% to 50% in the nasal cavity, 10% in the ethmoid sinuses, and less than 5% in the frontal and sphenoid sinuses.