Symptoms in patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma.

Symptoms at first onset and on initial examination were analyzed in 845 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma. About 20-30 per cent of the patients became aware of swelling of cheek, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and epistaxis as first symptoms. About 50-80 per cent of the patients complained of such symptoms on initial examination. Symptoms of maxillary sinus carcinoma are similar to those of chronic sinusitis which results in a delay in diagnosis. Such symptoms should be recognized to improve survival rate. CT and MRI scans are useful for early diagnosis and determination of tumour extension. Sinoscopy with biopsy is most important to detect the earliest tumour stage.