If there are symptoms that might suggest a person has nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer, the doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam. Additional tests will be done to find out if the disease is really present and to determine its stage (how far the cancer has spread).

Symptoms of Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Cancers

• persistent or progressive nasal congestion and stuffiness
• pain above or below the eyes
• one-sided nasal obstruction (blockage)
• nasal drainage in the back of the nose and throat
• nosebleeds
• pus draining from the nose
• decreased sense of smell
• numbness or pain in parts of the face
• loosening or numbness of the teeth
• growth or mass of the face, nose, or palate
• persistent tearing of the eyes
• bulging of one of the eyes or visual loss
• pain or pressure in one of the ears
• trouble opening the mouth
• lymph node enlargement in the neck areas

Many of these symptoms are most often caused by benign conditions such as infections. Nonetheless, people with these symptoms should see a doctor. If a cancer is present, early detection greatly improves the chance that treatment will be successful.