Maxillary sinus cancer: symptoms, causes, treatment

Cancer of the nose in any form is not very common - about 1% of all cancer patients have this diagnosis. An even rarer form is maxillary sinus cancer, which is difficult to identify. Indeed, due to the specifics of the location with the naked eye, it is impossible to see it, and the early stage of the disease in most cases is asymptomatic.

How is cancer detected

Most often, a tumor of the maxillary sinus at an early stage is discovered by chance, when a strange darkening appears on the X-ray. It is worth paying close attention to it, even if the symptoms characteristic of oncological diseases are still completely absent. And even more so if at the same time the patient regularly has:

cloudy greenish-gray mucous nasal discharge;
morning runny nose with traces or blood clots;
recurrent nosebleeds;
Difficulty breathing or congestion in one of your nasal passages
neuralgic pain of the facial nerves;
severe headaches, mainly in the evening and at night;
damage to the optic nerves, visual impairment;
a sharp drop in immunity, frequent acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections;
loss of appetite, noticeable weight loss for no apparent reason;
drops in body temperature, subfebrile temperature is possible;
persistent inflammation in the maxillary sinuses.

In this case, one X-ray is absolutely not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, since cancer of the maxillary sinus can be so insidious that it is not detected even with histological studies.

Localization symptoms

To some extent, symptoms indicate the localization of maxillary sinus cancer, which are more and more clearly manifested as the swollen grows:

Invasion into the nose and nasopharynx indicates posterior localization. The tumor becomes visible during rhinoscopy as a small pinkish formation of a loose structure that bleeds at the slightest touch. Accordingly, very often the patient has severe nosebleeds, bloody traces in the runny nose, discomfort in the nose.
Germination into the eye socket. If the tumor located in the upper part of the maxillary sinus grows upward, then it gradually reaches the mucous membrane of the eye along the ethmoid labyrinth, simultaneously affecting the optic nerves. Accordingly, motor nerve paralysis, a sharp visual disturbance due to a disruption of the optic nerve, severe pain or lack of innervation in the eye area may develop.
Germination into the upper jaw. Perhaps when the cancer in the maxillary sinus has a lower localization. This leads to severe toothaches, swelling of one or both cheeks, severe inflammation, loosening and loss of healthy teeth. With damage to the trigeminal nerve, severe pain in the facial region or a complete lack of sensitivity in the cheek area may occur.
Germination into the pterygopalatine fossa. Usually occurs with the lower posterior localization of the neoplasm. Rapidly affecting soft tissues, the tumor touches the maxillary nerve, which provokes very severe pain, deformation of the face and upper lip, edema and swelling in the cheeks.

But these are only general cases and symptoms characteristic of them. In fact, cancer of the maxillary sinus can give a very different clinical picture, which largely depends on the structure and size of the tumor, its exact location in the nasal cavity and the individual characteristics of the organism.

Cancer stages

In total, doctors distinguish four main stages of cancer. Even five, since there is a so-called "zero stage", in which only a clearly localized small area of skin with cancer cells that have not yet grown into deep tissues is found. At this stage, the cancer is cured quickly and completely, the only problem is that the chances of finding it are minimal.

Stage 1. A clearly limited localization of the tumor, which affects only soft tissues, without affecting the bones and cartilage of the nose, without metastases and transition to neighboring organs and damage to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2. The tumor still has clear boundaries and is localized in the nasal region, but the nasal bones and cartilage are in the affected area. It can also spread to the sinuses adjacent to the maxillary sinus, without affecting the bones and tissues of the skull.
Stage 3. The neoplasm begins to grow actively and can be localized in one or several areas at once: in the periobital region, on the bones of the skull base, on the posterior bone wall, in the ethmoid sinuses and soft subcutaneous tissues. The cervical lymph node increases in diameter up to 3 cm.
Stage 4. Divided into 4A, 4B and 4C. For 4A, all the symptoms of the third stage are characteristic, however, the lymph node continues to grow and can reach up to 6 cm in diameter. Stage 4B is the most severe; the tumor affects the bones of the skull, brain, nasopharynx, facial and optic nerves. At stage 4C, the cervical lymph nodes are very enlarged, there are multiple metastases in other internal organs.

It is clear that the division into stages is rather arbitrary, it only helps doctors to classify the tumor and the general condition of the patient. Based on the results of control diagnostic examinations, the stage of cancer may change.

The likelihood of recovery

The level of development of modern medicine is such that in most cases the diagnosis of "cancer" is no longer the final death sentence, as it was half a century ago. Laser surgery, new chemotherapy techniques, and state-of-the-art radiological equipment make it possible to successfully cope even with tumors in hard-to-reach locations.

At the first and second stages, cancer of the maxillary sinus is completely curable with timely started and correctly selected treatment. Therefore, it is important here not to miss the moment when he begins to declare himself with signs uncharacteristic of an ordinary ARI or sinusitis. It is better to get tested and make sure that there is no illness than to allow it to go to the third stage.

Unfortunately, the still widespread fears of traditional methods of cancer treatment are forcing people to seek help from psychics and other "traditional healers", to look for "home remedies for cancer" on the Internet, etc. Yes, in isolated cases it works, but those who have not been helped by these methods will not tell you about it - the disease has won, cutting off their lives. Therefore, it is better to overcome your fear and trust the doctors.

The success of the treatment of the third stage of maxillary sinus cancer largely depends on both the type of tumor and the area of its localization. The probability of a complete cure of an inoperable tumor is much lower, and if it is possible to completely remove it by surgery, the patient's chances are significantly increased.

Here, too, it is very important to have the courage and make the right decision. If a doctor recommends an operation, you have to agree!

Cancer of the fourth stage can be completely cured only in 1-2% of cases, with a very favorable combination of circumstances and a powerful positive attitude of the patient himself. At this stage, the biggest problem is multiple metastases that have affected the internal organs and the immunity greatly weakened by the disease.

A great experience and sensitive intuition of a doctor is required in order to choose the optimal course of treatment, diet, give general recommendations and constantly motivate the patient to recover.

Main reasons

There are no clearly defined reasons that trigger the formation of cancerous tumors in the body. Everything is very individual. Someone can smoke all their lives and die completely healthy, someone develops sinusitis after a banal runny nose, and then a swelling in the nose is found.

Scientists are inclined to believe that a person has a genetic predisposition to oncological diseases, and their development is provoked by the influence of negative factors:

Constant irritation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses. It can be caused by harsh chemicals; tobacco smoke; dusty, dirty or too dry air; constant or too strong exposure to allergens.
Chronic inflammatory processes. With a weak immune defense of the body, various pathogenic microorganisms constantly inhabit the nasal passages, provoking sluggish inflammatory processes. First, it is chronic rhinitis, then chronic sinusitis, etc. As a result, the mucous membrane atrophies, its cells degenerate, forming benign and sometimes malignant tumors.
Carcinogens. This is how scientists called the substances present in water, air, and low-quality food. These are compounds of heavy metals, radioactive chemical elements, toxins, free radicals. Once in the body, they provoke and accelerate the growth and development of cancer cells.
Precancerous conditions. This is the name of permanent damage to the mucous membrane, which can lead to the degeneration of cells into malignant ones. These include polyps, any benign tumors, papillomas, ulcers, black moles, etc. Such formations must be periodically monitored in order to catch cancer at an early stage in the event of rebirth.

At risk are also those people who, by occupation, constantly deal with toxic or strong-smelling substances, work in mines, in metallurgical or woodworking plants.

If safety requirements are ignored, almost all of them have occupational respiratory diseases, which can also provoke the development of cancer of the nose or maxillary sinus.

Diagnostic methods

It is important to understand that only an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis of "cancer" after a series of studies. It is impossible to detect cancer unequivocally neither at the initial examination, nor on the X-ray, nor even on the basis of the results of blood tests!

Therefore, even if the attending physician suspects that you have a malignant neoplasm in the maxillary sinus, you should not panic prematurely. You need to calm down and undergo an examination, which includes the following steps:

rhinoscopy, a thorough visual examination of the nasal passages;
palpation of the paranasal sinuses and face;
examination of the tumor using a probe or endoscope with tissue sampling;
X-ray in several projections;
computed tomogram or magnetic resonance imaging;
biopsy followed by cytological examination.

In case of difficulties in the final diagnosis or localization of the tumor in a place that is difficult to access for examination, diagnostic sinusotomy with tissue sampling can be performed.

And only after all these studies, as well as a number of laboratory tests, can we talk about the final diagnosis. Moreover, if the oncologist suspects the presence of metastases, additional examination of other organs may be required: MRI of the head, X-ray of the lungs, etc.

The importance of a diagnostic examination should not be underestimated. Not only the effectiveness of treatment, but also the patient's life often depends on its results. Metastases not detected in time can lead to the fact that after curing the cancer of the nasal sinus, the patient dies from cancer of the lungs or the lymphatic system.

Treatment methods

Cancer treatment methods in each case are selected individually. The most effective option is the complete destruction of cancer cells using a laser or a conventional surgeon's scalpel. After the operation, for prophylactic purposes, a course of radiation therapy is prescribed, and if for 5 years there is no relapse and no metastases appear, the patient can be considered completely cured. But such a superfavorable outcome is possible only at stages 1-2 of the cancer.

Later stages require a powerful complex effect on tumor cells. Here, surgical removal, radiation and chemotherapy are already combined in different ways. The favorable outcome depends on many concomitant factors. In the absence of metastases, it is quite high; in the presence of metastases, it steadily decreases.

The success of treatment also depends on the general condition of the body, the age of the patient, the presence of chronic diseases, susceptibility to bad habits and, most importantly, the emotional mood.

It has been noticed that positive-minded patients tolerate chemotherapy more easily, its negative consequences are less pronounced, and the effectiveness is much higher than among those who plunge into depression.

For a speedy recovery, the cooperation of the patient with the doctor is very important, and not their opposition. If the competence of the doctor raises doubts, ask for his replacement. When it is not clear to you how the treatment proceeds and why certain prescriptions are being made, ask for clarification.

But in no case make independent adjustments to the course of treatment without the knowledge of the doctor - this can lead to a sharp deterioration in the condition and unpredictable consequences.

Cancer prevention

The best prevention of cancer has been and remains a healthy lifestyle. No matter how trite it may sound, quitting smoking and alcohol abuse several times reduces the chances of contracting any type of cancer. And the measures aimed at strengthening the immune system and general improvement of the body practically does not leave malignant tumors a chance to settle in the body.

Quality food is no less important. Moreover, both for preventive purposes and in the course of treatment. It should contain a maximum of vitamins and minerals and a minimum of dyes, preservatives and other chemical additives. Some of them are not eliminated from the body at all and accumulate over the years, provoking the appearance of cancerous tumors after reaching a critical mass. It is not for nothing that ancient doctors said: "We are what we eat."

When forced to stay in rooms with dusty or polluted air, it is imperative to use respiratory protection. This will save not only from cancer, but also from chronic respiratory and pulmonary diseases. It is also necessary to periodically inspect living and working premises for the presence of allergens and strong irritants and, if possible, eliminate their influence.

I would like to say a few words about air conditioners. Modern models undergo antifungal treatment and are even able to ionize the air and maintain its moisture level. But old air conditioners must be cleaned at least twice a year, otherwise they can also become cancer provocateurs.

And it is very important not to self-medicate either before the disappointing diagnosis was made, and even more so after. The likelihood of curing cancer with traditional methods is ridiculously small. The opportunity to waste time and make matters worse is enormous.

Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients are strikingly different from those that were 20 years ago. Therefore, you should trust the professionals, and not give yourself over to charlatans.