Cancers of the nose may develop either in the skin covering the nose or in the lining of the nose itself or in the passage way at the back of the nose, called the nasopharynx, which joins the nose to the throat.

Cancers of the skin of the nose are the same as skin cancers in other areas so this answer will just cover cancers in the lining of the nose or the nasopharynx.

Cancers of the inside of the nose and the nasopharynx are rare in Britain and make less than 1 in every 300 cancers. The tumours are three times commoner in men than women.

The main symptoms of a cancer of the nose or nasopharynx are a blockage or congestion in the nose, often with nose bleeds or a lump in the neck. Deafness and weakness of one or more of the muscles in the face, tongue or throat (which is caused by damage from the tumour to a group of nerves called the cranial nerves) may also develop with nasopharyngeal cancers.

The Department of Health has given guidelines to family doctors (GPs) suggesting they should arrange an urgent appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to check for anyone who comes with any of the following problems:

• blockage of the nose on one side, particularly if it is producing pus
• a lump in the neck that has been there for more than three weeks
• weakness in any of the muscles of the face, tongue or throat which could be caused by damage to one of the cranial nerves.

These symptoms can have other causes apart from cancer but the important thing is that if you develop any of these problems you should see your GP who can discuss them with you and, if they think it is necessary, arrange an appointment with a specialist to be on the safe side.