What Is Nasal Cancer?

What Is Nasal Cancer?

Behind our nose our nostrils lead into our Nasal Cavity – this runs above the roof of the mouth and connects with the mouth at the back of your throat. This helps to filter out bacteria that we breathe in, as well as warming and moistening the air to make it better for the lungs to process.

While we are all aware of our nose and our nostrils, we often only think about our sinuses when we have a cold or the flu and they become blocked, causing pressure and discomfort in those affected.

Sinuses are essentially hollow spaces or cavities within a bone, the most commonly discussed ones are the Paranasal Sinuses; any of the four sets of cavities within the skull near the nose. These include:

• Frontal Sinuses – in the forehead
• Maxillary Sinuses – in the cheekbones
• Sphenoidal Sinuses – at the back of the nasal passages
• Ethmoidal Sinuses – behind and below the Frontal Sinuses

All of these paranasal sinuses have passages which lead into the nose. The function of these sinuses is to reduce the weight of the skull, and also to play a part in helping to warm and moisten the air that we breathe in. Sinuses also have an effect on the tone of our voices, one of the reasons our voices can change slightly during colds or infections.

Nasal Cancer and Sinus Cancer are rare types of cancer that affect the Nasal Cavity and the Sinuses. This is not to be confused with Nasopharyngeal Cancer which affects the area where the nose and mouth connect. While the location in question is very close to the Nasal Cavity and the Sinuses, Nasopharyngeal cancer is considered a cancer of the throat as opposed to Nasal or Sinus Cancer.

Nasal Cancer is most commonly found in men over the age of 40, and while precise causes are not fully understood, there is a clear link with those who have handled or breathed in certain chemicals; in many cases during their employment or working lives. Smoking can also be a common factor, as with many cancers, due to the volume of potentially dangerous chemicals that the body is exposed to while inhaling cigarette or other smoke.

Depending on how early the cancer is detected, treatment can be effective, and symptoms can be reduced or minimised using a variety of treatments.

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