Print OverviewNasal and paranasal tumors are growths that begin in and around the passageway within the nose. Nasal tumors begin in the main passageway within the nose, called the nasal cavity. Paranasal tumors begin in air-filled chambers around the nose, called the paranasal sinuses. Some nasal and paranasal tumors aren't cancerous. These noncancerous tumors also are called benign tumors. They can grow to block the flow of air through the nose. Other nasal and paranasal tumors are cancers. Cancerous tumors also are called malignant tumors. They can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, the cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Several types of nasal and paranasal tumors exist. The type of tumor you have helps determine the best treatment for you.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSigns and symptoms of nasal and paranasal tumors can include: Difficulty breathing through the nose. Frequent headaches. Loss of the sense of smell. Nosebleeds. Discharge from the nose. Facial swelling or pain. Watery eyes. A sore on the roof of the mouth. Vision problems. A lump in the neck. Difficulty opening the mouth. When to see a doctorMake an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. CausesNasal and paranasal tumors happen when cells in the nasal cavity or chambers around the nose develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions also tell the cells to die at a set time. In tumor cells, the changes give different instructions. The changes tell the tumor cells to make many more cells quickly. Tumor cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells. Sometimes the changes in the DNA turn the cells into cancer cells. Cancer cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer. Risk factorsFactors that may increase the risk of nasal and paranasal tumors include: Smoking tobacco increases the risk. This includes cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Being exposed to air pollution. Breathing in polluted air increases the risk of nasal and paranasal tumors. Being exposed to chemicals and irritants in the air at work. These may include wood dust, fumes from glue, rubbing alcohol and formaldehyde, and dust from flour, chromium and nickel. Being exposed to human papillomavirus, also called HPV. HPV is a common virus that's passed through sexual contact. For most people, it causes no problems and goes away on its own. For others, it causes changes in cells that can lead to many types of cancer. PreventionTo reduce your risk of nasal and paranasal tumors, you can: Stop smoking. If you don't use tobacco, don't start. If you currently use tobacco of any kind, talk with a healthcare professional about strategies to help you quit. Protect yourself at work. Follow your workplace safety rules for protecting yourself from harmful fumes and irritants in the air, such as wearing a face mask. Ask about the HPV vaccine. Receiving a vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of HPV-related cancers. Ask your doctor or other healthcare professional whether an HPV vaccine is right for you. By Mayo Clinic Staff Nasal and paranasal tumors care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Oct. 24, 2023 Print Living with nasal and paranasal tumors? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Head & Neck Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Head & Neck Cancer Discussions How do I go through 6 weeks radiation and chemotherapy, alone? 33 Replies Wed, Dec 04, 2024 chevron-right Throat Radiation After-Effects, Aspiration & Suffocating Mucous 70 Replies Mon, Nov 11, 2024 chevron-right Diagnosed with Ameloblastoma 227 Replies Mon, Oct 28, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Dagan R, et al. Tumors of the nasal cavity. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 7, 2023. Flint PW, et al., eds. Benign tumors of the sinonasal tract. In: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 7, 2023. Flint PW, et al., eds. Malignancies of the paranasal sinus. In: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 7, 2023. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. May 15, 2023. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Cancer of the head and neck. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 7, 2023. Head and neck cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1437. Accessed June 7, 2023. Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer. Cancer.Net. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/nasal-cavity-and-paranasal-sinus-cancer/view-all. Accessed June 7, 2023. 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