Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer
Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Different cancers have different risk factors. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you will definitely get that cancer.
Smoking increases your risk of nasal cavity cancer. If you smoke, you are at a higher than average risk of developing this type of cancer.
Cigarettes contain nitrosamines and other chemicals that cause cancer. When you smoke, the smoke may pass through your nasal cavity on its way to your lungs.
Your risk increases the longer you smoke. If you smoke a lot, you increase your risk even more. Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and will reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Read more about cancer risk and smoking
Research shows that some jobs increase your risk of developing nasal and paranasal sinus cancer. This is because they can expose you to certain chemicals.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists all cancer causing substances in humans. This is also called carcinogens. They say the following substances have enough evidence to say they increase your risk of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer:
wood dust (mainly hardwood) - people who work in carpentry, including furniture and cabinet makers, wooden floors and any other wood related industry
leather dust - shoemakers may be exposed to leather dust
nickel compounds - a metal used to make stainless steel
isopropyl alcohol production - a type of alcohol used in household products and in manufacturing processes
radium 226 and 228 - radioactive metals that can be found at low levels in nature in the air, water, soil and rocks
HPV is a common virus that can cause small growths or warts. There are lots of different strains of HPV. Some are high risk for other types of cancer, such as cervical cancer.
About 30 in every 100 cases (30%) of nasal and paranasal sinus cancers are linked to HPV. Of the different types of HPV, type 16 is the most common with nasal and sinus cancers.
Previous radiotherapy for hereditary retinoblastoma has been linked with some types of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer.
Read more about hereditary retinoblastoma
There are also possible risk factors. This means some researchers suspect they might be risk factors, but there isn’t enough evidence to be sure.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists the following substances as having limited evidence for increasing your risk of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer:
chromium (VI) compounds - a chemical used in stainless steel, textiles, plastics, leather. The use of chromium is now restricted in Europe
formaldehyde - an industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials, and household products
cloth fibres - people who work in the textile manufacturing may be exposed to these fibres
We have more detailed information for health professionals about head and neck cancer risks and causes.
For detailed information go to the Cancer Statistics section
Stories about possible cancer causes are often in the media and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You may have heard of something that isn’t included here. This is because we only include a risk factor in this information if it is supported by good quality evidence.
Find out about common cancer myths and questions on the causes of cancer
There are ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.
Last reviewed: 22 Jan 2024
Next review due: 22 Jan 2027
Cancer can start in the lining of the space behind the nose (nasal cavity) or the nearby air cavities (paranasal sinuses) and sometimes spread to lymph nodes and rarely other parts of the body.
Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer can cause symptoms such as nose and eye problems, as well as other symptoms such as a lump or a growth.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They will examine you and might refer you for tests or to a specialist.
Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer you have, how big it is, whether it has spread (the stage) and the grade. It also depends on your general health.
There is support available during and after treatment to help you cope. This includes support from your clinical nurse specialist, cancer charities, community services, and family and friends.
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