Nose and Sinus Cancer Flashcards
(12 cards)
what are the early signs of nose and sinus cancer?
Persistent nasal congestion
Sinus pressure
Frequent nosebleeds (epistaxis)
Decreased sense of smell
Chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment
what are the late signs of nose and sinus cancer?
Facial pain or numbness
Swelling around the eyes
Vision changes (blurry vision, double vision)
Difficulty opening the mouth
Persistent headaches
Enlarged lymph nodes (suggests possible metastasis)
what are the risk factors?
Industrial chemical exposure (wood dust, nickel, chromium)
HPV infection
Chronic sinus inflammation
Smoking
what do you assess for ?
Inspect nasal cavity for masses, persistent congestion, asymmetry, swelling, tenderness
Check for facial numbness
Palpate for enlarged lymph nodes
how is nose and sinus cancer diagnosed?
Nasal Endoscopy + Biopsy → Confirms malignancy & determines cancer type.
CT/MRI → Determines tumor size & extent.
PET Scan → Detects metastasis.
what does surgery do to nose and sinus cancer?
Tumor removal, often requiring nasal/sinus reconstruction.
what does radiation therapy do to nose and sinus cancer?
Used post-surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells or for inoperable tumors.
what does radiation therapy do to nose and sinus cancer?
Often combined with radiation.
what are the chemotherapy drugs used?
Cisplatin, carboplatin, 5-FU
Targeted therapy: Cetuximab (Erbitux)
how do you prevent nose and sinus cancer?
Avoid occupational exposure to dust/chemicals
Wear protective masks
Avoid smoking
Manage chronic sinus inflammation
what are the long term effects after treatment?
Facial disfigurement
Speech/swallowing difficulties
Nasal congestion
Dry mouth
what are the follow-up care you have to do for nose and sinus cancer?
Regular ENT exams to monitor for recurrence.
Imaging tests (CT/MRI) for surveillance.
Rehabilitation for speech/swallowing issues if needed
