Tumors growing in the nose can also be cancerous

 Tumors growing in the nose can also be cancerous

Cancers that occur in various parts of the body can also occur in the nose. It is difficult to imagine how serious a problem it can be if the nose, which is the main means of breathing, has cancer.

In fact, the nose also contains cells that produce mucus (a liquid that contains antibodies that kill germs). When these mucus-producing cells start to grow normally near the nose, it takes the form of cancer.

Problems like nose cancer are usually seen only in people who smoke a lot. The main function of the nose is to inform the brain about smell, odor, and fragrance and to breathe and exhale.

In addition, a clean nose also makes the air entering the nose temperature-friendly, filters and blocks germs that enter the respiratory tract with the air, and removes dirt from the sinuses (bone cavities) around the nose.

The internal structure of the nose and tumors that can be seen in it

The internal structure of the nose consists of surfaces called conchae and meatus. The conchae are the raised surfaces in the nose. Meatus is the hollow surface. There are three meatus, the upper, middle, and lower. Similarly, there is also a cavity between the bones of the face, which is filled with air.

This cavity is called the paranasal sinuses. If tumors grow around this area for any reason from the back of the nose, they can become cancerous. However, not all tumors are cancerous. The tumor can be a malignant cancer that can spread and be fatal or a benign tumor that does not spread.

Benign tumors include papilloma, hemangioma, oncocytoma, myoepithelioma, oncocytoma, malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Symptoms of cancer

- Feeling of nasal congestion

- Pain around the whites of the eyes

- Bleeding from the nose

- Loss of smell

- Discharge from the nose

- Lumps of flesh growing inside the nostrils

- Headache

- Lumps around the neck

Causes of nose cancer

Generally, the risk of developing nose cancer increases as people age. Men are more likely to develop nose cancer than women. This is because men smoke more.

The risk of developing nose cancer increases when working in chemical factories or places where chemicals are present or when they come into contact with chemicals. Apart from this, nose cancer can also occur in people who are constantly exposed to air pollution.

In addition, people who are undergoing radiotherapy to the neck or head may also be at risk of developing nose cancer. Similarly, infection with the human papilloma virus can also later develop nose cancer.

Diagnosis

– To determine whether a tumor inside the nose is cancerous, a nasal examination with a device, an examination of the nose, throat and pharynx, an X-ray of the nose and mouth, a CT scan, an MRI and a biopsy are performed.

There are also stages of nasal cancer.

– The tumor may or may not have penetrated the bone on one side of the nose

– The tumor may or may not have penetrated the bone on one or both sides of the nose

– The tumor may also penetrate the bone around the eye and the bone near the mouth.

– The tumor may penetrate the eye. It may penetrate the brain and the cheek.

Treatment of nasal cancer

The treatment of nasal cancer depends on the stage of the cancer. If the cancer is confirmed early, no serious treatment is required, but if the cancer has reached a serious stage, various types of treatment may be required.

Surgery: The part of the nose where the cancer has spread is removed. This is the main treatment for nasal cancer.

Radiation therapy: The patient's nasal cancer is destroyed by drying it out.

Chemotherapy: Cancer cells are destroyed using highly toxic drugs.

Targeted therapy: Cancer is destroyed by attacking the cancer's molecules and DNA with special drugs.

Immunotherapy: Cancer-fighting drugs like nivolumab and pembrolizumab are used.

How to avoid nasal cancer?

– Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use tobacco.

– Do not pick at the nasal wound with your fingernails.

– Wash your nose with clean water and wipe it with a clean cloth.

– If there is any kind of wound in the nose, get it checked immediately.

– Do not abuse drugs.