Symptoms of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer

The most common symptoms of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer include:

  • nose problems, such as blockages causing stuffiness in one side of your nose that does not go away or nosebleeds
  • eye problems, such as complete or partial loss of sight or double vision
  • other symptoms, such as a lump or growth anywhere on the face, nose or roof of the mouth that does not go away

If you have any of these symptoms, you must get them checked by your GP. But remember, they can all be caused by other conditions. Most people with these symptoms don’t have nasal and paranasal sinus cancer.

Nose problems

Nasal and paranasal cancers may cause:

  • blockages causing stuffiness in one side of your nose that does not go away
  • nosebleeds
  • decreased sense of smell
  • mucus coming from the nose that can be bloody
  • mucus draining into the back of your nose and throat

Most people diagnosed with cancer of the nose will have a blockage. Nosebleeds are also a common symptom.

Eye problems

People with nasal and paranasal sinus cancer may notice:

  • bulging of one eye
  • complete or partial loss of sight
  • double vision
  • pain above or below the eye
  • a watery eye with tears running down the cheek
  • swelling of the tissue that covers the white of the eye (conjunctiva)

Other symptoms

There are other symptoms you may have including:

  • a lump or growth anywhere on the face, nose or roof of the mouth that does not go away
  • pain or numbness and tingling in parts of your face, particularly the upper cheek, that doesn’t go away
  • a headache
  • loose teeth
  • difficulty opening your mouth
  • swollen (enlarged) lymph nodes in your neck
  • pain or pressure in one of your ears

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