The difference between nasal polyps and nasal cancer

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 15, 2025
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Nasal polyps and nasal cancer are both relatively common otolaryngological diseases, but they belong to different types. Nasal polyps are benign lesions, which do not pose a significant risk to health, while nasal cancer is a malignant tumor, which comparatively poses a greater risk to health. In terms of examination, differentiation can be made through nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans. Generally, nasal polyps tend to grow in the middle nasal passage and the olfactory area, whereas nasal cancer is more commonly found in the nasopharyngeal region or within the sinuses. Overall, these two diseases are fundamentally different, and it is advisable to visit an otolaryngologist for further examination and treatment.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
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How to completely treat nasal polyps?

A thorough treatment for nasal polyps is surgical treatment; this includes a combination of post-surgical medication and regular follow-up examinations for a comprehensive treatment. First, it is important to identify the cause of the nasal polyps, which often stem from chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity or sinuses leading to mucosal polypoid changes and consequently, nasal polyps. For instance, common conditions like allergic rhinitis can also lead to nasal polyps over time. After removing the polyps through surgery, it is necessary to treat allergies as well, because without managing the allergies, the polyps might recur quickly. Additionally, after the surgery, it's important to conduct a pathological examination to check if there is an increase in eosinophil count; with more than 27% increase, the chance of recurrence is quite high. According to some reports, eosinophilic type nasal polyps have a recurrence rate of up to 90%. Therefore, regular postoperative reviews and cleanings are essential to prevent recurrence and are key to achieving a cure.

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Is nasal polyp surgery under general anesthesia dangerous?

Nasal polyps are currently primarily treated by two methods: medication and surgery. If there are many polyps, surgery is usually considered necessary. There are two types of anesthesia used in surgery: local anesthesia and general anesthesia. Generally speaking, general anesthesia, administered through endotracheal intubation or a laryngeal mask, is relatively safe and does not significantly affect the surgery or the patient themselves. However, there are certain risks involved, such as anesthesia accidents or slow metabolism of anesthetic drugs, which could trigger other or existing underlying diseases, further increasing the risk. Additionally, there could be damage to the nasal cavity or structures around the nose, such as periorbital ecchymosis, nasal bleeding, severe bleeding leading to shock, and some might experience changes in vision or visual field, or effects on the olfactory nerves.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
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Is surgery necessary for nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms that occupy the spaces of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Clinically, once nasal polyps appear, they are generally removed through surgery. Currently, the main clinical approach is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. For some early-stage small nasal polyps, medications such as corticosteroids, methylprednisolone, and prednisone can be used for treatment, which can cause the gradual disappearance of very small polyps, a process known as chemical resection. In clinical practice, when nasal polyps are detected, they are usually relatively large, so once polyps are discovered during a hospital visit, treatment is typically conducted through surgery.

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Is it safe to have a second surgery for nasal polyps?

The surgery for nasal polyps is primarily performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of the nasal polyps and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All surgeries carry certain risks, thus secondary surgeries for nasal polyps also entail risks. Moreover, since the initial surgery alters the normal anatomical structure of the nasal polyps and their surroundings, the difficulty of the surgery increases, thereby slightly raising the risk of a secondary procedure. The third point is that the surgery is now performed under direct endoscopic vision. Although this type of surgery carries risks—and indeed, all surgeries do—the likelihood of these risks is relatively small, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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What is the cause of bleeding from nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common clinical disease, with various symptoms. Common symptoms include bleeding, as well as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. The bleeding caused by nasal polyps may be due to the condition of the polyps themselves, with some patients experiencing bleeding polyps that bleed repeatedly. It could also be due to inflammation associated with the polyps, or erosion of the nasal mucosa or small blood vessels in the nasal cavity rupturing and causing bleeding. Therefore, when such symptoms occur, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department for tests such as a complete blood count, coagulation function tests, nasopharyngoscopy, and a sinus CT scan to determine the specific cause of the condition.