A tumor is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. It can be categorized into three stages: benign, premalignant, and malignant. Tumors can also develop inside the nasal area. Nasal and sinus tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous) tumors that develop in the nose or sinuses. Nasal tumors are among the rare tumors, accounting for only about three percent of the upper respiratory tract tumors. They are twice as likely to occur in men than in women.
The nasal cavity is located just behind the nose and along the roof of the mouth. It connects to the upper part of the throat. The sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity. Cancerous tumors that grow in the sinuses are known as paranasal sinus cancer. This type of nasal tumor can develop in any of the sinuses.
Nasal Tumor Causes
There are genes in the body called proto-oncogenes that signal cells when to grow, divide, or survive. The process and function of cells dying and destroying are controlled by Tumor suppressor genes. When this function is disrupted, cells grow out of control, causing tumors, such as nasal tumors.
Nasal Tumor
Generally, the growth of tumors involves the activity of several genes. Some factors can affect the growth of cells leading to nasal tumors, which include:
- Gender is one of the factors that increase the risk of nasal septum tumors, and in general, men are at higher risk of developing this cancer than women.
- Smoking is one of the most important factors that can increase the risk of developing various types of tumors, including nasal tumors.
- If a person’s work environment is such that they are exposed to minerals such as dust, wood, fibers, nickel, chromium, etc., for a long time, the risk of developing this cancer increases.
- Human Papillomavirus is a virus that affects the skin and moist membranes such as the mouth and throat which intensifies the risk of developing nasal tumors.
- In some specific circumstances, people may inherit this disease from their parents due to genetic changes.
Nasal Tumor Symptoms
What are the first signs of a Nasal Tumor? Symptoms of nasal tumors may be similar to a common cold. Therefore, it is very critical to carefully examine this matter with an otolaryngologist and a cancer specialist.
Nasal Tumor Symptoms
Among the most common symptoms of nasal cancer are:
- Possibility of nosebleeds
- A feeling of constant blockage and stuffiness in the nose so that more than one side of the nose is involved
- Reduced sense of smell
- Nasal discharge from the nose and back of the throat and mucus discharge from the nose that may be bloody
- Watery eyes
- Vision problems
- Sudden trouble when breathing through the nose even if there are no signs of illnesses such as the common cold
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Soreness on the roof of your mouth
- A lump in the neck
- Facial swelling
- Facial pain
- Pain or numbness in the face or teeth
- Ear infections
- Hearing loss
Types of Nasal Tumor
Lymphoma: About 5 percent of this type of cancer is caused by cells of the immune system or lymph nodes around the nose.
Adenocarcinoma: About 10 to 20 percent of this type of cancer occurs in the lining of the sinuses.
Squamous cell carcinoma: About 70 percent of this type of cancer occurs in the respiratory tract and is the most common malignant tumor of the nose and sinuses.
Types of Nasal Tumor
Melanoma: About 3 percent of this type of cancer involves the pigmented, highly aggressive cells lining the sinuses. It is also called nasal skin cancer.
Esthesioneuroblastoma: Occurs in the nerves at the base of the skull, in the part of the nasal cavity that provides the sense of smell.
Stages of Nasal Tumor Growth
Nasal tumor involves a 4-stage system based on the extent of nasal or paranasal tumor growth, which is as follows:
Stage 1: The tumor is located within the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses.
Stage 2: The tumor has spread to other parts of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
Stage 3: At this stage, the bones of the sinuses, eye sockets, or even lymph nodes are involved.
Stage 4: This is when the tumor has spread to structures such as the brain, neck, and skull.
Nasal Tumor Prevention
The first and most important method of prevention is to quit smoking. If your job requires you to work around or on industrial waste, wear a face mask to prevent yourself from breathing in all the harmful chemicals around you.
Nasal Tumor Prevention
Follow strict workplace safety protocols to prevent nasal tumors. Having a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins like C and E is also a suitable way to avoid developing nasal tumors.
Nasal Tumor Diagnosis
In the case of a nasal tumor, it is very crucial to diagnose the type of nasal tumor that a person has acquired. Because nasal tumors can vary according to the stages of their growth. Each type of nasal tumor can have distinct characteristics and different treatment methods.
A medical history and physical examination of the head and neck are the first steps in diagnosing a nasal or sinus tumor. In some people, a fiberoptic scope is used to view the nasal cavity and sinuses.
Nasal endoscopy: This method uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light inserted into the back of the nose to examine the area.
CT scan: Other methods, such as CT scan, may be used to better and more accurately diagnose the extent of the cancer’s growth.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests can also be an effective method for diagnosing nasal tumors. These imaging tests include: X-rays, MRI, and PET scans.
Panendoscopy: This method uses general anesthesia to diagnose cancer and its cause.
Nasal Tumor Diagnosis
Biopsy: In the biopsy method, a very small sample of nasal tissue is removed, and this sample is used to identify nasal cancer. In the examination of the sample, the type of cancer and its origin are determined.
Nasal Tumor Treatment
Treatment for nasal tumors may depend on its location and how far it has spread in the body. Nasal and paranasal tumors are abnormal tissue growths in the nasal cavity, which is the hollow passageway through the nose.
Tumors that grow in the nasal cavity are called nasal tumors. Tumors that grow in the air-filled paranasal sinuses are called paranasal tumors. There are many different types of nasal and paranasal tumors, so your doctor can determine your treatment options based on your tumor type.
Various methods are possible for treating nasal tumors. The method that healthcare professionals recommend for treating nasal cancers and tumors depends on several factors, such as the degree of tumor progression and metastasis and the patient’s overall health.
Among the most common methods of treating nasal tumors are surgery and removal of the nasal and sinus tumor, open surgery or through the nostrils, and endoscopic.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is another way to treat nasal tumors, which your doctor may decide you need to receive before or after surgery. Radiation therapy can also be a good option for people who cannot have surgery for any reason.
Nasal Tumor Treatment
Chemotherapy
This method is used less often than surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can be given orally or intravenously.
Nasal Tumor Surgery
Nasal tumor surgery and removal is one of the most commonly used treatment methods for various types of nasal cavity and sinus tumors.
The surgeon removes all of the tumor, or possibly some healthy tissue and bone, and if the sinus and nasal tumor are spread to the nearby tissues and lymph nodes, the lymph nodes and other cancerous tissue will also be removed. This surgery may be performed using a closed nasal tumor surgery or an open surgery.
Nasal tumor vs polyp
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that are usually painless and may be caused by inflammation from asthma, nose and throat infections (fungal or bacterial), or allergies. However, Nasal tumor can be malignant and cancerous when cells grow and multiply and begin to affect surrounding tissues. If the cells become cancerous, they can spread to distant areas, causing tumor in the nasal cavity.
Final Word
Nasal tumor or nasal septum cancer is a very rare tumor that is most commonly seen in men over 40 years of age. It is very important to diagnose nasal tumors in a timely manner and take steps to cure them. If the patient suffers from this tumor, they will likely develop a malignant nasal tumor in the nasal cavity and sinuses in the cheek and forehead areas, and the best choice is to diagnose and treat it promptly.
If not treated immediately, tumors can start in the lining of the space behind the nose (nasal cavity) or the nearby air cavities (paranasal sinuses) and then spread to the lymph nodes. In these cases, surgery by a nasal surgeon becomes necessary.
