Health condition
Sinonasal tumours
Cancers of the nasal cavity and sinuses are rare and diverse, presenting with one-sided nasal symptoms that mimic ordinary sinusitis; endoscopic skull base surgery and modern radiotherapy at specialist centres have improved both cure and quality of life.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Unilateral symptoms are the red flag: one-sided blockage, bleeding, discharge or facial numbness
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Occupational wood dust and leather dust exposure are recognised causes of specific subtypes
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Many tumours are now removed endoscopically through the nose at skull base centres
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Histology spans squamous, adenocarcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, melanoma and more
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Everyone has blocked noses; almost nobody has a tumour - the discriminator is asymmetry and persistence. A nostril that has been progressively blocked for months while the other breathes freely, recurrent bleeding from one side, numbness of the cheek, a loosening upper tooth or a watering eye form a pattern that routine sinusitis does not produce. Hardwood dust exposure, historically in furniture trades, specifically drives sinonasal adenocarcinoma decades later.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
These tumours sit against the eye and brain, so treatment is skull-base teamwork: expanded endoscopic resection has replaced open facial approaches for many, followed by precision radiotherapy - protons where sparing the optic apparatus matters - and chemotherapy woven in for selected histologies. Outcomes and function are demonstrably better in high-volume centres, and pathology review matters because the subtype changes the entire strategy. If you are waiting for results or want a second opinion on a proposed plan, a private consultation with a specialist who treats this condition regularly can usually be arranged quickly, and most will review your existing scans, biopsy reports and MDT correspondence.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant ENT surgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Sinonasal tumours.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is sinonasal tumours?
Sinonasal tumours is a term used for a cancer or cancer-related condition affecting a specific tissue or organ. The exact nature, behaviour and severity vary from person to person, which is why diagnosis and staging by a specialist team are essential.
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Why does sinonasal tumours happen?
The exact cause is often not fully understood, though risk can be influenced by a combination of genetic factors, age, lifestyle factors, and in some cases exposure to specific triggers. Many people affected have no identifiable single cause.
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How would I know if I have sinonasal tumours?
Symptoms depend on where it is and how advanced it is, and can include a new lump, unexplained pain, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, or changes specific to the affected area. Some cases are picked up incidentally on scans before symptoms appear.
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How worried should I be about sinonasal tumours?
This depends heavily on the type, stage and how it responds to treatment — some cases are highly treatable, especially when caught early, while others need more intensive management. Your oncology team will give you a personalised assessment rather than a generic answer.
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Is sinonasal tumours hereditary or genetic?
This depends on the specific condition — some cases have a genetic or familial component, while others are linked more to environmental, lifestyle or other health factors. If you have a relevant family history, it's worth mentioning to your clinician.
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Is there a cure for sinonasal tumours?
Outcomes depend on the type and stage, but many cases respond well to treatment, particularly when identified early. "Cure" isn't always the right framing for every case — your team will discuss realistic goals, whether that's cure, remission, or long-term control.
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How is sinonasal tumours treated?
Treatment is tailored to the type and stage, and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted or immunotherapy, or a combination, decided by a multidisciplinary specialist team.
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What is the long-term outlook for sinonasal tumours?
This varies significantly by type and stage, and your specialist team will give you a personalised sense of prognosis and expected timelines for treatment and follow-up rather than a general figure.
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When should specialist referral be considered for sinonasal tumours?
Specialist referral is appropriate as soon as this is suspected or confirmed, so that staging and a treatment plan can begin without delay — earlier specialist input generally supports better outcomes.
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When should I see a doctor about sinonasal tumours, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life — earlier assessment generally leads to better management. NHS routine referrals for this kind of concern often take 20–45 weeks or longer depending on the area, while a private consultant can typically see you within about 2 weeks, with faster access to scans and specialist opinion.