Symptoms of nasal and sinus cavity can range from the same symptoms as a sinus infection all the way to a lump in the nose, roof of the mouth, or face. For some of the more common symptoms –such as pain around the eyes, congestion that doesn’t go away or blockage on one side of the nose – it’s easy to assume it’s a sinus infection or another condition. However, if you’ve been treated for a sinus infection and it’s not getting better, go back to the doctor so they can do another assessment and look for a different cause of your symptoms.
Other symptoms are more obvious and should be addressed immediately including:
- Pus coming out of the nose
- 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
- Bulging of one eye
Testing for Nasal & Sinus Cavity Cancer
There are several tests that help diagnose paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers. If cancer is suspected, your doctor may start with a handful of tests to further investigate. These might include:
- Physical exam: The doctor will carefully check your head and neck area, including the nose and sinuses, for abnormalities such as numbness, pain, swelling, and/or firmness in your face.
- Endoscopy: A procedure used to look at areas in the nasal and sinus area that are harder to see during a physical exam. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the head and neck areas for anything unusual. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.
- Biopsy: A procedure that removes cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. While other tests can suggest that cancer is present, only a biopsy can confirm a diagnosis. If a biopsy cannot be performed, other tests will be used.
If cancer has been found in the biopsy, it’s common to add other tests including imaging to see if the cancer has spread, and if so, how far. Your doctor may request one or more of the following imaging studies:
- X-rays: An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body. The detailed images can help the doctor see the sinus area more clearly.
- CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
- PET scan (positron emission tomography scan) or PET-CT: A procedure to find cancerous cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do. In some cases, the PET scan and CT scan may be used together.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
- Bone scan: A procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive material collects in the bones with cancer and is detected by a scanner.
Once the testing is complete the cancer will be staged. This tells the oncologists about the extent of the cancer. It will also guide treatment options.
