More than half of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers occur in the maxillary sinuses (hollow spaces on either side of the nose and below the eyes); fewer cancers develop in the nasal cavity and in the ethmoid sinuses (sieve-like spaces made of thin bone and mucous tissues behind the bridge of the nose).

These cancers arise more frequently in people who are exposed to wood and metal dusts, asbestos, paint fumes, and air pollution. Symptoms of these head and neck cancers may include persistent nasal congestion, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment, frequent headaches or sinus pain, swelling of the eyes, and reduced sense of smell.