What is Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatment?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatment?
Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the different methods of nasal and sinus cancer treatment. Nasal and sinus cancers occur when cancerous cells are found in the nasal sinuses (spaces around the nose where the mucus is produced) or the nasal cavity (space above and behind the nose where air passes on its way to the lungs). Nasal and sinus cancer or sinonasal cancer is a rare condition that may often be confused with other sinus disorders.
In this article, we will be discussing in detail about nasal and sinus cancer and its treatment.
- What are the types of Nasal and Sinus Cancers?
- What are the causes of Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- What are the risk factors for Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- What are the symptoms of Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- How to diagnose Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- What are the various Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatments?
- What are the complications of Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatments?
- How to prevent Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- What is the cost of Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatment in India?
What are the types of Nasal and Sinus Cancers?
The different types of nasal and sinus cancers are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of sinonasal cancer. The cancer cells develop in the mucosa, which is the lining of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
- Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma may form in the tiny glands present in the lining of the nose and the paranasal sinuses. These tumors can spread to other parts of the body.
- Mucosal melanoma: Melanoma usually arises in the melanocytes, which are the pigment-creating cells and give color to the skin. It can also be formed in the mucus-producing tissue of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity.
- Esthesioneuroblastoma: It develops in the olfactory nerve, which is responsible for an individual’s sense of smell.
- Lymphoma: This type of cancer develops in the lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells that help in fighting infections. It can affect any part of the body. ( Know more about- What is Lymphoma? Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Cost )
What are the causes of Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- Nasal and sinus cancer occurs when a genetic change (mutation) turns the healthy and normal cells into abnormal cells.
- The abnormal cells grow and multiply rapidly, and accumulate to form a mass (tumor).
- The abnormal cancerous cells may invade the tissues nearby and spread (metastasize) to the other parts of the body
What are the risk factors for Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
Some factors may increase the risk of developing nasal and sinus cancer. These factors include:
- Smoking
- Commonly seen in men
- Age above 40 years
- Air pollution
- Exposure to chemicals and irritants such as chromium, nickel, dust from flour, formaldehyde, rubbing alcohol, wood dust, and fumes from the glue.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease ( Know more about- Human papillomavirus (HPV): Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention)
What are the symptoms of Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
The various symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer are:
- Difficulty in breathing through the nose
- Congestion that gets worse with time
- Bleeding from nose
- Loss of sense of smell
- Discharge from the nose
- Watery eyes
- Pain in the ears
- Facial pain
- Facial swelling
- Vision problems ( Know more about- What is a Corneal Transplant? Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
- Headaches
- A lesion or ulcer on the roof of the mouth ( Know more about- What is Mouth Cancer Treatment? Causes, Tests, Treatments, Cost )
- Pain, loosening, or numbness of teeth
- A lump in the neck
- Difficulty in the opening of the mouth
How to diagnose Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
- Physical examination: The doctor will first physically examine the patient and take note of the medical history of the patient.
- Nasal endoscopy: A thin lighted tube with a camera on one end, known as an endoscope, is inserted into the nose. The camera sends the images to the monitor and the doctor checks for anything unusual that may be present. ( Know more about- What is Endoscopy? Types, Purpose, Procedure, Results)
- Biopsy: If the doctor finds abnormalities during a nasal endoscopy, the doctor may use some special tools to excise (cut) a sample of the tissue growth. This sample is sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.
- Imaging tests: The doctor may use certain imaging tests like the CT scan and MRI scan. These tests help in obtaining clear images of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
What are the various Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatments?
The treatment for nasal and sinus cancer depends on the location of the tumor, the type of cells involved, and the overall health of the patient. The various treatment modalities include:
- Surgery:
- Most nasal and sinus cancers are treated with surgery for the removal of the tumor.
Surgery can be of two types:
- Open surgery: In this procedure, the surgeon may make an incision near the nose or in the mouth to get access to the nasal cavity or sinus. The tumor is then removed along with any nearby area such as the bone which may have been affected.
- Minimally invasive surgery: This procedure involves the use of nasal endoscopy and some special tools. These tools are inserted through the nose and the camera on one end of the endoscope helps the surgeon in performing the operation.
- The nasal and sinus tumors are located near delicate and critical structures of the head, including the brain, eyes, and nerves controlling vision. The surgeon needs to work meticulously to avoid any damage to these parts.
Radiation therapy:
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- This procedure involves the use of high-powered energy beams like x-rays and protons for killing the cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy is sometimes used after surgery to kill the cancer cells that may have been left behind after surgery.
Chemotherapy:
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- Certain medications are prescribed by the doctor to kill the cancer cells by chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery.
- Before surgery, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor size and allow it to be removed easily.
- Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to kill the cancer cells that may still be remaining after surgery.
- Chemotherapy can also be used in combination with radiation therapy. ( Know more about- What is Chemotherapy? Types, Purpose, Procedure, Cost)
Palliative (supportive) care:
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- It is a form of medical care that helps in providing relief from pain and other symptoms caused due to serious illness.
- Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other trained professionals.
- It aims at improving the quality of life of the cancer patient and the patient’s family.
What are the complications of Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatments?
The following complications may be associated with nasal and sinus cancer treatments:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Skin problems
- Fatigue
- Hearing problems
- Vision problems
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Hoarseness
- Bone pain
- Bone damage
- Change in taste of food
- Brain damage ( Know more about- What is Brain Aneurysm Surgery ? Purpose, Procedure, Aftercare, Cost )
- Mouth ulcers
- Hormonal disorders
- Narrowing of the nasal cavity
- Hair loss
- Infection
- Bleeding
If you notice any of the above complications post nasal and sinus cancer treatment, contact your doctor.
How to prevent Nasal and Sinus Cancer?
Nasal and sinus cancer cannot be prevented completely. However, the following tips can be followed to prevent nasal and sinus cancer:
- Quit smoking
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals and irritants
- Protect yourself from harmful fumes and irritants in the air by wearing a face mask at work
What is the cost of Nasal and Sinus Cancer Treatment in India?
The total cost of nasal and sinus cancer treatment in India can range from around INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for nasal and sinus cancer treatment. The cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of nasal and sinus cancer treatment, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. Apart from this, after the procedure, the patient is kept in hospital for 5 days and in the hotel for 15 days for recovery. So, the total cost of nasal and sinus cancer treatment in India can range from around INR 2,80,000 to INR 4,50,000.
We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding nasal and sinus cancer and nasal and sinus cancer treatment through this article.
If you want more information and treatment for nasal and nasal sinus cancer, you can contact the Surgical Oncologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
