Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus

Tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses are unique, rare and often diagnosed in late stages. Unilateral nasal symptoms, such as obstruction, should alert the physician to rule out malignancy. Inflammatory polyps frequently co-exist with malignant tumours. Endoscopic examination therefore, is strongly recommended to obtain appropriate visualization and to guide biopsy. Sinonasal tumours are unique due to their diverse differentiation, ranging from epithelial and mesenchymal to neuroectodermal and haematolymphoid malignancies. Diagnosis of these tumours is challenging due to many overlapping histopathological features and limited tissue availability in biopsy samples. A systematic approach using ancillary techniques such as immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics and molecular pathology help in differential diagnosis. The sheer number of different pathologies seen in this region makes standardization of guidelines exceedingly difficult. However, the key to a suitable management is to identify the tumour histology and develop an individualized treatment plan based on the biology of the disease.