ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Sinonasal Cancer · Prevention & risk

What are the risk factors for sinonasal cancer?

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

The main recognised risk factors for sinonasal cancer are occupational wood dust (especially hardwood) — IARC Group 1 carcinogen for sinonasal adenocarcinoma, nickel compounds, hexavalent chromium, leather dust, formaldehyde and certain solvents and cigarette smoking and, for some histological types, high-risk HPV infection. Risks differ by region: Europe (occupational clusters) has a distinctive exposure pattern, so a patient's country of residence is part of the risk assessment. Having a risk factor does not mean a person will develop cancer.

In detail

Risk factors are probabilistic. Many patients have no obvious exposure, and most people with an exposure never develop a head and neck tumour. Tell your clinician about all tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, occupational and viral exposures, because this information changes follow-up planning.

  • Occupational wood dust (especially hardwood) — IARC Group 1 carcinogen for sinonasal adenocarcinoma
  • Nickel compounds, hexavalent chromium, leather dust, formaldehyde and certain solvents
  • Cigarette smoking and, for some histological types, high-risk HPV infection
  • EBV in sinonasal lymphoepithelial carcinoma in endemic populations
  • Inverted papilloma — a benign but locally aggressive tumour that can harbour or progress to squamous cell carcinoma
  • Prior radiotherapy to the head and neck

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Prevention & risk” 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. 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
  2. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025
  3. Head and Neck Cancers (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025
  4. 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.