Paranasal tumors begin in air-filled chambers around the nose called the paranasal sinuses whereas the nasal tumors begin in the nasal cavity. These tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
Several cell types are present in the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity. These include squamous epithelial cells, nerve cells, blood vessel cells, salivary gland cells, and immune system cells. Mutation in any of these cells results in paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer. The type of treatment depends upon the type of cell undergoing mutation.
