ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Sinonasal Cancer · Symptoms & diagnosis

What are the early signs of sinonasal cancer?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Sinonasal Cancer Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

The common early signs are persistent one-sided nasal obstruction or discharge that does not respond to treatment, recurrent unilateral nosebleeds or blood-stained discharge, reduced or lost sense of smell, facial pressure or a unilateral headache and facial numbness, cheek swelling, loose upper teeth or a palatal swelling. Head and neck tumours often cause mild, one-sided symptoms that mimic a cold, a dental problem or a sore throat. Any symptom in the head or neck that persists for more than two to three weeks needs an ENT examination rather than repeated antibiotics.

In detail

Early disease can be painless, which is why the "two-to-three-week rule" is used: a persistent lump, ulcer, hoarseness, unilateral ear pain, nasal obstruction or swallowing change should be examined with an endoscope by an ENT or head and neck specialist.

Do not wait for pain. Pain is usually a later feature in head and neck oncology, and delay in diagnosis is one of the strongest modifiable predictors of stage at presentation.

  • Persistent one-sided nasal obstruction or discharge that does not respond to treatment
  • Recurrent unilateral nosebleeds or blood-stained discharge
  • Reduced or lost sense of smell, facial pressure or a unilateral headache
  • Facial numbness, cheek swelling, loose upper teeth or a palatal swelling
  • Double vision, protruding eye (proptosis) or excessive tearing from orbital involvement
  • A neck lump, or cranial nerve changes in advanced skull-base disease

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Symptoms & diagnosis” section of the Sinonasal Cancer topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about sinonasal cancer

See all 13 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Head and Neck Cancers (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025
  2. About Head and Neck Cancer American Cancer Society · 2025
  3. IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans (tobacco, areca nut, UV radiation, EBV, HPV) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2024
  4. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025
  5. Head and Neck Cancers (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025
  6. About Head and Neck Cancer American Cancer Society · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.