Signs and Symptoms of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers

Most often, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers are found because of the signs and symptoms they cause.

Common signs and symptoms

Possible signs and symptoms of these cancers often affect only one side of the face. They can include:

• Nasal congestion, stuffiness, or blockage that doesn’t get better or that gets worse
• Nosebleeds
• Post-nasal drip (nasal drainage in the back of the nose and throat)
• Pus draining from the nose
• Problems with your sense of smell
• Pain above or below the eyes
• Numbness or pain in parts of the face
• Loosening or numbness of teeth
• A lump or mass on the face, palate (top of the mouth), or inside the nose
• Constant watery eyes
• Bulging of one eye
• Loss or change in vision
• Pain or pressure in one of the ears
• Hearing loss
• Headache
• Trouble opening the mouth
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck (seen or felt as lumps under the skin)

Having one or more of these symptoms doesn't mean you have nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer. In fact, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by other conditions, such as a sinus infection.

Still, if you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a health care provider so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. If your health care provider prescribes a treatment, such as an antibiotic, and it doesn't help your symptoms, be sure to go back to your doctor for more testing.