Risks for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don’t have any risks.
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer is rare. It is found more often in people older than 50 years of age. More men than women develop nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.
Certain risks canʼt be changed. But in some cases, there are things you can do to lower your risk.
The following can increase your risk for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer:
Exposure to certain substances at work
Exposure to certain substances at work
Exposure to the following substances at work increases the risk for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer:
- wood dust in industries that involve wood processing, including furniture making, cabinet making, sawmill work and carpentry
- leather dust in shoe and boot manufacturing
- nickel compounds (nickel sulphides and oxides) in the nickel-refining industry
- strong acid process and chemicals used to make isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Learn more about how to be safe at work.
Smoking tobacco
Smoking tobacco increases your risk for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.
The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the greater your risk. The risk of developing nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer decreases with time after you quit smoking.
Learn more about how to live smoke-free.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis (also called mono, or the kissing disease).
EBV infection increases the risk for a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) called extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. This form of NHL can affect the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses.
Learn more about Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Radiation therapy for retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that develops in children. Children with the hereditary form of retinoblastoma have a higher risk of developing second cancers. Treating retinoblastoma with radiation therapy increases the risk of developing nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer later on.
Possible risk factors
The following have been linked with an increased risk of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:
- human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- smokeless tobacco
- chromium
- formaldehyde
- textile dust
Questions to ask your healthcare team
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.
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