Further tests for nasal and sinus cancer

Men and women discussing nasal and sinus cancer

This page tells you about tests you may have if your doctor has found you have a cancer of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. You can find information below on

A quick guide to what's on this page
Why you might have more tests
CT scan
MRI scan
PET scan
After the tests

Further tests for nasal and sinus cancer

If your tests show you have cancer, further tests will help your doctor to decide on the treatment you need. Your doctor also needs to check whether the cancer has spread from where it started.

Scans

You may have a CT scan, MRI scan or PET scan. These can give doctors a detailed picture of your cancer and whether it has spread. You may need an injection of dye (contrast medium) to help show up the body tissues more clearly.

After the tests

It’s understandable if you feel anxious when you are waiting for your test results. They may take a little time, although sometimes they only take a week or so. While you are waiting, it may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience.

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the diagnosing nasal cancer section.

Further tests will help your doctor to decide on the treatment you need. If your tests show you have cancer, your doctor needs to check whether it has spread from where it started. The lymph nodes in the neck are often the first place a cancer spreads to. Tissue fluid circulates around the body organs, drains into lymph vessels and is carried to the lymph nodes. If any cancer cells have broken away, they will be carried to the lymph nodes in tissue fluid.

This is a computerised scan using X-rays. You may have a CT scan of your head and neck, your chest or abdomen. The head and neck CT will show the size of the cancer and any enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. You may need an injection of dye (contrast medium) to help show up the body tissues more clearly. A chest and abdominal CT may show other signs of cancer spread. There is more about having a CT scan in the CancerHelp UK about cancer tests section.

You may have an MRI scan. This uses magnetism to build up a picture. Soft tissue shows up more clearly on this scan than on a CT scan. Again, an injection of dye may help the tissues to show up clearly. You usually cannot have an MRI scan if you have metal inside your body (for example, a pacemaker). If you have had a hip or knee replacement, you may still be able to have an MRI as long as they are not part of the area being scanned. Otherwise they could affect the quality of the image. There is more information about having an MRI Scan in the CancerHelp UK about cancer tests section.

PET scans can show up areas of active disease. They are sometimes used to check to see if cancer has come back after treatment. You may also have a scan after treatment to make sure that there is no active cancer surviving in any scar tissue. It can be very difficult for doctors to tell scar tissue from remaining cancer after treatment. There is more information about having a PET scan in the CancerHelp UK about cancer tests section.

It’s understandable if you feel anxious when you are waiting for your test results. They may take a little time, although sometimes they only take a week or so. When your test results have come through, you will be asked to go back to the hospital to discuss them with your specialist. And decide on a course of treatment if needed. While you are waiting for results, it may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience. Look in our cancer organisations section for an organisation that can give you information about support groups or counselling services near you.