ABSTRACT
Tumors commonly affecting the mucus-producing tissue of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses include squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant lymphoma, malignant melanoma, esthesioneuroblastoma, and sarcomas. The nasal cavity is the space located behind the nose, which runs along the roof of the mouth and then turns downward to the throat. Risk factors for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer include tobacco smoking, chewing, and snuff; heavy alcohol use; repeated exposure to inhaled substances and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Sometimes people with nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer do not show any of these symptoms, and nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer is only discovered after investigation of inflammatory disease of the sinuses. By removing the entire tumor and a rim of surrounding normal tissue, surgery represents an essential part of treatment for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, especially in patients who fail to respond to radiotherapy.
