Tumors of the nose, also known as nasal cancer, account for only around 1% of all malignant tumors. They are therefore rare tumors. Nevertheless, they are of major significance for some occupational groups. Nasal cancer affects the inside of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The tumors usually remain confined and therefore often have a good prognosis.
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Nasal cancer usually develops in the area of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, extending into the maxillary sinuses. Tumors can also occur on the outside of the nose. However, these are usually caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun. They are therefore known as melanomas of the skin (black skin cancer). Such skin cancers are not classically classified as nasal cancer, although they are also frequently found in the nose area.
The tumor classically known as nasal cancer, on the other hand, grows inside the nose. It starts in the so-called nasal epithelial cells. Some of these become tumor cells due to risk factors and begin to grow uncontrollably. However, nasal cancer grows slowly and in many cases over decades.
As mentioned at the beginning, nasal cancer accounts for less than 1% of all malignant tumors in humans. On the other hand, up to 3.5% of malignant head and neck tumors are nasal carcinomas. Interestingly, men are affected by nasal cancer about twice as often as women. This may be due to the fact that men are more frequently exposed to the respective risk factors for nasal cancer.
Tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse are also two very important risk factors for nasal cancer. Nasal cancer can also be caused by wood dust and asbestos. Construction workers, woodworkers and people in the leather processing industry therefore have a higher occupational risk of nasal cancer.
Cigarettes and alcohol are the most common causes of throat tumors
As with many slow-growing tumor entities, there can be decades between a risk factor and the diagnosis of nasal cancer. It is therefore not always easy to establish a causal link. However, nasal carcinoma is generally recognized as an occupational disease in the above-mentioned areas of work.
Studies show that people with allergic rhinitis have up to twice the risk of developing nasal carcinoma. This may be due to the inflammatory reactions of the allergy, which could lead to genome damage and thus trigger cancer.
As nasal cancer generally grows very slowly, there are usually no symptoms for a long time. As the tumor continues to grow, nasal breathing is initially impaired. Furthermore, nosebleeds often occur in connection with nasal cancer. Odor and taste disorders can also occur.
Only when the nasal cancer has grown into the surrounding tissue at an advanced stage does deformation occur
Nasal cancer is diagnosed following a medical history interview in combination with an ear, nose and throat examination. In addition to nasal endoscopy, other imaging procedures are often used, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT).
A tissue sample (biopsy) is used to examine the fine tissue of the nasal tumor in the laboratory. This allows the type of cancer (often squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma) and the stage of the disease to be determined. Nowadays, nasal tumors are usually discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board after diagnosis. The most suitable therapy is discussed there.
Nasal cancer is treatable in the vast majority of cases. However, the methods that can be used also depend on the stage of the tumor. It also depends on whether other tissue or neighboring organs have been affected.
The treatment of choice for nasal cancer is surgery and therefore the complete removal of the entire tumor if possible. If this is not possible due to the location or spread to neighboring organs, additional radiation or chemotherapy is administered. Combinations of these two treatment methods are also used in practice.
Nasal cancer is rarely fatal. If detected early, it is usually even curable. A narrowly defined, slow tumor growth and good access with the help of an operation have a positive effect. The prognosis worsens if:
Experts in nasal cancer usually come from the fields of ENT surgery, neurosurgery, radiotherapy, internal oncology and radiology.
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