View Full Version : Sinus cancer??
Hi everyone...I am here hoping someone can put some perspective on my problem. Since December I've had what I think are sinus problems. I've had burning pain in the right nostril, I blow my nose and there's blood...not every time..but quite often. The discharge from my nose is usually clear..not green or yellow as is often the case with sinus infection. My doctor had me on 2 courses of antibiotics...neither of which did much to make things better. Along with the sinus burning, I also have pain in the right side of my forehead, top of head, around the right eye,in my right ear and in the right temple area. My doc thinks it's related to dry air and winter. Me I'm not so sure, I use a saline spray every day, again without noticeable improvement.
In addition to all this I have a sore neck. It's painful to move my head side to side, it sometimes hurts at the back of my neck with no movement and there is also pain in the front of the neck area. I am aware that the sternocleidomastoid muscle can cause all kinds of pain in all of these areas if it's aggravated. I've been for a few physio-therapy sessions and the therapist is treating those muscles. She says they do feel tight and can even cause what feels like sinus problems, personally I doubt it could cause burning sinuses.
My doctor says he will send me to an ENT specialist who will scope my sinuses to see if there is anything there. I'm waiting to hear when the appointment will be but I'm really really scared. I've pretty much convinced myself I have sinus cancer. I'm really hoping there is someone here who can help me with this, someone who has had lingering sinus issues or neck issues. I want to be able to look at all of this and believe that there's no way I can have sinus cancer although I've pretty much convinced myself that's what I have. I really need some advice and help. Thank you for reading this and responding if you are able. :scared15:
I have had sinus problems for most of my life and it mostly effects my right side of my nose and up into my head and ear. I am going for physio today on my neck. I hope this helps to reassure you. Oh I sometimes get blood in my nose too, I think it is just from the lining of my nose.
ty for the reply Annie....with your sinus issues are you congested or stuffed up?....I rarely am...in the morning when I wake up I am a bit, but the rest of the day I'm not..there doesn't appear to be any of the normal sinus infection signs other than pain
I have pretty identical symptoms angrry; clear nasal discharge, bit of blood, stuffed up in morning, neck pain etc, and it all started after a cold. Did these things come on after a cold? I too have had two rounds of antibiotics that didn't do a whole lot. When it had been going on for three months the doctor sent me for a CT scan that was clear, so still not sure what it is! I know that my neck pain (at the front, deep in neck/throat) is stress related, as it has mostly gone away as I've become less worried. At the moment I'm blaming the whole sinus thing on the fact that it's been a pretty bad dry winter here in Sweden when I'm actually used to the wet winters in England. Do you have any postnasal drip? I have that too, like a weird sweet taste in the back of my throat a couple of times a day. All my symptoms seem to be gradually going away, so hopefully yours will do the same.
ty Bartleby...didn't start with a cold..but I do have post nasal drip...been a pretty cold dry winter here too...I'll just have to wait for the appt with the ENT doc to see what's up..I'll either have a CT or a sinus scope..maybe even both depending on what the doc thinks is going on...still pretty worried and I'm sure I will be until I see that doc....thanks very much for responding I really appreciate it
Mine doesn't particularly feel congested but I do get post nasal drip. It is more pain around my eyes and in my head. My neck is feeling much better after my physio today :)
k..ty Annie....hope you both get relief from your sinus issues soon :)
I have just been through exactly the same thing.... I was certain I had sinus cancer. I had a referral from my GP to see an ENT. He started with a scope through my nose, then swiftly said I need a scan. Which with me having HA sent me into melt down. I started trying to ask questions as I was panic stricken...I a typical laid back doctor fashion I get " oh I am sure all is fine, there is some collapse of your Septum and it is quite congested, we can get the scan done next week and have a look at it then" I reply " what is causing my Septum to suddenly collapse, could it be a tumour" to which "I don't think it is but lets just wait and see". So I spent 10 days in total despair convinced that's what it was (by the way my symptoms were exactly the same as yours, although my nose bone felt really painful also). I went back for the results of my scan last week. " your Septum is basically straight, there has been some thickening of your mucosa linings which is normal for your age(39) and you have no infections, basically you have nothing wrong so lets check you for allergies" which he did and they also came back clear. Anyway the thing is it has all died down sine I was given the all clear.....I guess that's HA for you. I still have pain in my neck and under my jaw but it is slowly subsiding. Also sinus cancer is quite rare, I know in the UK there are only 400 new cases every year, so the odds are in your favour. I know that probably wont help at the moment because it didn't help me. Once you get the all clear everything will get better. Good luck.
Hi angrry, sorry your sinuses are giving you so much trouble! I've had a lot of trouble with my sinuses over the years too, usually in the winter time, I find the cold air really irritates them.
Sinus discharge doesn't always have to be green with infection, and in fact green doesn't always indicate an infection, it's not a definite way to diagnose an infection.
Sometimes we can have a sinus infection that's a little tougher to get rid of, but your ENT will be able to see if that's your problem and help you solve it.
If you don't have much congestion it could be likely that you just have sinusitis, which basically means inflamed sinuses. When this happens they can be raw and sore, cause a runny nose or post nasal drip as well as facial pain and headaches. It can also cause nosebleeds because of the irritation or if you're blowing your nose a lot.
There's actually a lot that you can do to help with your problem while you're waiting for the ENT, and in fact they might tell you some of this too:
Steaming - either sit in the bathroom while you run a really hot shower for 15 mins and breathe in the steam, or fill a basin with hot water, place your face o er it and cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in and breathe in the steam for ten mins. Do this a couple of times a day, it's really good for your sinuses and will help them to calm down.
Hot face cloths over your sinuses can help release tension and relieve the pain.
Saline nasal spray to rinse your nostrils.
Nasal rinsing to wash out your sinuses - talk to your doc about that one.
Steroid nasal spray - again talk to your doctor, as it is a steroid. It will help to calm your sinuses down.
Cut out dairy - even just for a little bit, dairy creates more mucus and it often contributes to sinus problems. Dairy makes me nose run if I eat it on a regular basis! If you do cut it out make sure you replace it with something suitable in your diet.
Breathing in salt air - if you can get to the beach the salt in the air is great for your sinuses! This was recommended by my doctor.
Exercise to clear out the sinuses.
There are also some facial massage techniques you can learn from YouTube that will help soothe your sinuses and release tension.
Don't blow your nose too hard or too frequently, be gentle or you'll irritate your sinuses even more.
Drink lots of water, it's essential for good sinus health.
Keep down the dust in your house, especially in your bedroom as it can really contribute to sinus problems.
I wouldn't worry about cancer, remember it's rare and your problem is far more likely to be much simpler! If you find you are getting a lot of facial or jaw pain it might be worth looking at TMJ as it can often contribute to sinus problems.
I forgot to mention that neck pain can come about when you have sinus problems. I too have neck issues, and am waiting to see an ENT - but it's more from an ear problem that I believe is caused by TMJ. It may be tension from worry rather than part of your sinus probs?
tyvm for your replies Scottie and Honeylove they were very helpful. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the ENT says...whenever I get the appt..since I'm in Canada it can be a 6 month wait...I may need to go back to my own doc...feels like I have a swollen gland now under my right jaw, my right eye is tearing and I have a right ear ache. I still have forehead and temple pain as well as lots of neck pain too.
You're right Scottie unfortunately knowing how rare sinus cancer is doesn't really make me feel better. And I'd love to be by the sea Honeylove...trouble is it's 2000 miles away..sucks to be me I guess....lmao...I'm kidding...hopefully this will clear up soon and I hope your sinus issues clear up for you too....thx again
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