Nose cancer occurs when cancerous cells are found in or around either the paranasal sinuses or the nasal cavity, because these are the two main areas that make up the nose. The symptoms of this type of cancer can be confused with signs of other conditions, such as skin cancer, while some patients never notice any symptoms. Some of the most common nose cancer symptoms include a runny nose, frequent nosebleeds and postnasal drip. In many cases, the entire face seems to be affected; the eyes may become swollen, the gums may hurt and there may be pressure in the ears. The cancerous cells often form a sore or lump that lasts for months or years, causing some patients to suspect cancer even if they have no other symptoms.
Many patients first notice a runny nose that does not go away as soon as they would expect, signifying that the problem might be more than a cold. This issue may result in persistent postnasal drip. Another of the most common nose cancer symptoms is nasal congestion, especially if it affects one nostril more than the other, because the cancer often starts out affecting only one side of the nose. Patients may also get a bloody nose frequently when dealing with nose cancer, and they might find it particularly difficult to stop the bleeding. Sudden loss of the sense of smell is another common sign of nose cancer.
The most common nose cancer symptoms usually affect more than just the nose, with one of the typical issues being a feeling of pressure or pain in the whole face. This can lead to frequent headaches. The eyes are also often affected and may become swollen, watery and prone to blurred or double vision. Patients often feel pressure in the ears as well as recurrent infections in one or both ears. It may be difficult to open the mouth and the gums often become sensitive, resulting in discomfort for many patients feeling these nose cancer symptoms.
Some patients have few bothersome symptoms, but they may notice an abnormal growth inside or near the nose. A sore or lump that never seems to heal should be checked out by a doctor, even if no other nose cancer symptoms are present. The growth may be anywhere on the face, though the most common areas are on or inside the nose, on the neck and on the roof of the mouth.