Can nasal polyps become cancerous?

  Nasal polyps are common in adults and rarely occur in children. They often occur in the septal sinus area at the free edge of the middle turbinate and at the exit of the maxillary sinus. The appearance of nasal polyp is very similar to a tumor, but it is not a tumor tissue, but a polyp formed by chronic inflammation and long-term stimulation or metaplasia, which makes the nasal mucosa highly edematous and obstructs the venous and lymphatic flow, causing the tissue gap to expand and irreversible edema to occur.  The main symptom is that the nasal obstruction gradually increases with the increase of polyp volume or number. Nasal sound of speaking, head stuffiness and discomfort, mostly purulent nasal cavity, such as allergy-related can flow clear water-like mucus.  As the polyp proliferation fills the nasal cavity, even the place of nostril can be exposed. Some of them can enlarge the nasal cavity and widen the dorsum of the nose, forming a shape of outward expansion, which is medically called “frog nose”. If the nasal bleeding is frequent and the patient is old, a few of them may become cancerous and should be alerted. At present, the only way is to remove it surgically. For those with serious systemic diseases, surgery should be cautious or delayed.