Malignant tumors of the noses and sinuses are quite rare, but because of their location, early diagnosis is important. Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon cancer that arises from the upper part of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Typical tumors for nasal symptoms are nasal obstruction, bleeding, decreased sense of smell, and pain. If the tumor is large, it can affect neighboring structures. Thus, a large nasal tumor may cause the eye to bulge or cause other visual symptoms.
A “cold,” more properly termed acute viral rhinosinusitis, is caused by a viral infection of the nasal passages. Symptoms are congestion and drainage of short duration (less than 7-10 days at most).
Headache is a symptom of a wide variety of conditions. Headache without nasal symptoms suggests that the headache is not arising from the nose and sinuses. Common tension headaches and migraine headaches are two common headache disorders.