H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Head and Neck Program

Stage IV Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where the cancer is found.

If cancer is in the maxillary sinus, treatment will probably be one of the following:

  • Radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of radiation therapy.

    • If cancer is in the ethmoid sinus, treatment may be one of the following:

  • Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
  • Radiation therapy followed by surgery.
  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given at the same time.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • If cancer is in the sphenoid sinus, treatment is the same as for nasopharyngeal cancer and may be one of the following:

  • Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • (Refer to the PDQ summary on Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment for more information.)

    If cancer is in the nasal cavity, treatment may be one of the following:

  • Surgery.
  • Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
  • Surgery plus radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • If the cancer is an inverting papilloma, treatment may be one of the following:

  • Surgery. If the cancer comes back after surgery, patients may receive more surgery or radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • If the cancer is a melanoma or sarcoma, treatment may be one of the following:

  • Surgery.
  • Radiation therapy.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • If the cancer is a midline granuloma, treatment may be one of the following:

  • Radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

    • If the cancer is in the nose (nasal vestibule), treatment may be one of the following:

  • External-beam and/or internal radiation therapy.
  • Surgery if the cancer comes back following treatment.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before surgery or radiation therapy.

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