Para nasal sinus cancer is very rare in the United States; however it is more common in Africa and Japan. The Para nasal sinuses are the cavities located directly behind the nose, and the mucous membranes are the part of the sinuses that are susceptible to cancer.
Men are more commonly affected by sinus cancer than women, and it should be noted that less than 600 new cases are discovered each year. Risk factors may include extensive exposure to dust, specifically in the woodworking industry, the use of snuff and smoking. When a patient is afflicted with sinus cancer, some of the shared symptoms include eye pain, tooth pain, facial swelling, blocked sinuses that do not clear with the use of medication, facial numbness, headaches and double-vision.
Although most of these symptoms are common symptoms of sinus infections and other illnesses, the presence and severity of a combination of the symptoms will lead to testing to rule out sinus cancer. X-rays, MRIs and sinus scoping will be used in combination with blood tests in order to determine the presence of polyps. While most sinus polyps will prove to be benign, testing should be performed to ensure the safety of any polyps discovered.
Surgery is common – to remove the malignant tissue from the sinus cavity. Also, radiation can be used before or after surgery to reduce the size and spreading of cancer. In severe cases, where spreading is likely or occurring, chemotherapy will be used to eliminate the presence of cancer and the chance of recurrence.
Following successful treatment for sinus cancer, a patient will be required to have annual exams including X-rays and blood work in order to ensure that a recurrence is not happening.
The prognosis with sinus cancer is generally very good for patients in good health overall. Once a patient contracts any type of cancer, they should be on the lookout for signs that the cancer has returned or spread to another location within the body.