Epidemiology of sinonasal cancer

Abstract

Sinonasal cancers (SNCs) represent less than the 0.2% of all cancers yearly diagnosed in the world and about 3.6% of all malignancies arising in the head and neck area. Despite this low frequency, a great variety of histological types may be found. Sinonasal cancers are cancers with an aggressive clinical behaviour which frequently pose a number of problems regarding the interpretation of diagnostic findings and the treatment. SNCs may be classified as rare cancer, but the low absolute risk in the general population effectively contrasts with the high relative risks for specific chemical exposures and occupational settings. Wood and leather dust exposure, nickel compounds, and tobacco smoking are associated with increasing risk of SNC, and International Cancer Research Agency (IARC) classified these agents as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Other occupational exposures are also suggested to be associated with sinonasal cancer (formaldehyde, chromium (VI) compounds, textile industry, farming and construction). Epidemiological surveillance of SNC cases and their occupational history is fundamental for monitoring the occurrence of the disease in exposed workers in industrial sectors. Implementation of risk reduction strategies and the prevention of diseases caused by workplace exposures are important public health objectives. In this chapter, epidemiology of sinonasal cancer is presented.