Small cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses usually do not cause any specific symptoms. Many of the symptoms of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers can also be caused by benign conditions such as infections. For these reasons, many of these cancers are not recognized until they have grown large enough to block the nasal airway or sinuses, or until they have spread to nearby tissues or even to distant areas of the body.

Screening

Screening refers to tests and exams used to detect a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. The American Cancer Society has official recommendations for screening tests to find several types of cancer as early as possible. Because cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses occur so rarely, routine testing of people without any symptoms is not recommended.