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 like infections. This is why many of these cancers are not found 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. Cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses occur so rarely that routine testing of people without any symptoms is not recommended.

Last Medical Review: 08/13/2009
Last Revised: 08/13/2009