Overview

A nose tumor is an abnormal growth that begins inside your nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. These tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Examples of noncancerous nose tumors include:

  • Nasal polyps.
  • Hemangioma.

Examples of cancerous nose tumors include:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Adenocarcinoma.
  • Neuroblastoma.
  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma.
  • Sarcoma.

What’s the difference between a nasal tumor and a paranasal tumor?

The main difference is the location of the tumor:

  • Nasal tumor: A nasal tumor begins in your nasal cavity, located just behind your nose.
  • Paranasal sinus tumor: A paranasal sinus tumor begins in your paranasal sinuses — the air-filled chambers located around your nose.

Who gets nose tumors?

Anyone can get nose tumors, but cancerous nasal tumors are more common in people aged 55 and over. According to the American Cancer Society, white people in the U.S. are much more likely to develop nose tumors than people who are Black. Additionally, men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) are twice as likely to develop nose tumors as women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Are tumors in the nose common?

Nose tumors are rare. Nasal and paranasal tumors account for approximately 3% to 5% of all head and neck cancers in the U.S.

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