Main treatments for nasal and sinus cancer
The treatment you’ll have for nasal and sinus cancer depends on:
- the size of the cancer and where it is
- if it’s spread to other parts of your body
- your age and general health
Most people will need surgery. Some people may also benefit from radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
You may be given a combination of chemotherapy medicine and a course of radiotherapy at the same time. This treatment is called chemoradiation.
Your specialist treatment team will:
- explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
- work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
- help you to manage the side effects of treatment
- help and support you during your recovery if you have surgery
If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.
Surgery
Surgery for nasal and sinus cancer involves the surgeon removing the cancer from the head and neck.
There are several ways surgery can be done, but they may involve removing some healthy tissue along with the cancer.
The surgeon will usually need to repair or rebuild any damage. This may be done at the same time as surgery to remove the cancer or may need further surgery.
In some cases, surgery for nasal and sinus cancer may be extensive and you may need to get a prosthetic, such as a false nose afterwards.
Most surgery for nasal and sinus cancer will leave you with some scarring and changes to how you look. Scarring can often fade with time.
You may also need to have some lymph nodes in your neck, which are part of the body's immune system, removed.
Your specialist team will be able to provide more information on surgery and how it may affect you afterwards.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells. A machine is used to target beams of radiation directly at tumours.
You may be given radiotherapy:
- after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back
- on its own to treat the cancer – this is usually only possible if the cancer was diagnosed at an early stage
- to help manage symptoms of cancer that is not possible to cure
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells.
You may be given chemotherapy:
- before surgery to help shrink the tumour
- to treat cancer that comes back after surgery
- to help slow the growth of advanced cancer
What happens if you’ve been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you have advanced nasal and sinus cancer it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.
If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.
Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.
They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.