Sinus Cancer

U-M GATEWAY UMHS RSS U-M MEDICAL SCHOOL

EVENTS

FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

	CANCER & TREATMENTS SUPPORT & SURVIVORSHIP PREVENTION & RISK ASSESSMENT CLINICAL TRIALS & RESEARCH LIVING WITH CANCER

Head and Neck Program Overview

Multidisciplinary Head &
Neck Cancer Clinic

Make an Appointment

Head and Neck Cancer Resources

Research and Training / SPORE

Related information:
Cancer of the Larynx

Cancer of the Pharynx

Cancer of the Tongue

Salivary Gland Cancer

Donate 4 Life

		Home > Cancer and Treatments > Head & Neck Cancers Sinus Cancer Definition Sinus cancer is better defined as paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. This is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Paranasal Sinuses "Paranasal" means near the nose. The paranasal sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose. The sinuses are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps the inside of the nose from drying out during breathing. There are several paranasal sinuses named after the bones that surround them: The frontal sinuses are in the lower forehead above the nose. The maxillary sinuses are in the cheekbones on either side of the nose. The ethmoid sinuses are beside the upper nose, between the eyes. The sphenoid sinuses are behind the nose, in the center of the skull. Nasal Cavity The nose opens into the nasal cavity, which is divided into two nasal passages. Air moves through these passages during breathing. The nasal cavity lies above the bone that forms the roof of the mouth and curves down at the back to join the throat. The area just inside the nostrils is called the nasal vestibule. A small area of special cells in the roof of each nasal passage sends signals to the brain to give the sense of smell. Together the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity filter and warm the air, and make it moist before it goes into the lungs. The movement of air through the sinuses and other parts of the respiratory system help make sounds for talking. Different types of cells in the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity may become malignant. The most common type of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer forms in the squamous cells (thin, flat cells) lining the inside of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity. For information, please visit the University of Michigan Health System's Healthwise Knowledgebase entry Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer Getting Diagnosed / Treatment This cancer is treated at the U-M Cancer Center in the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic. The Head and Neck Oncology Program coordinates research efforts related to sinus cancer. Read about: the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic Making an appointment The Head and Neck Onoclogy Program Team (this links to the UMHS website). Research Advancements The Head and Neck Oncology Program has identified head and neck cancer stem cells. Please visit our Stem Cells in Head and Neck Cancer web pages to learn more. Still have questions? Contact the Cancer AnswerLine through their webpage or at 800-865-1125. Return to the top of the page		See Also Department of Otolaryngology Oral and maxillofacial surgery Adjust text size University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center 1500 East Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109 © 2009 Regents of the University of Michigan / Developed & maintained by: Public Relations & Marketing Communications. Contact Us or UMHS. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.

	MAPS & DIRECTIONS MEDIA LIBRARY GLOSSARY CONTACT US SITE INDEX DISCLAIMER PRIVACY STATEMENT INTRANET