Rare case of poorly differentiated squamous cell cancer of HPV etiology in a nasal polyp presenting as chronic sinusitis

Abstract

Malignant tumors of the nasal cavity are rare, accounting for 0.2% to 0.5% of all human cancers and 3% to 5% of all head and neck cancers in the United States. Here, we report a rare case of poorly differentiated nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma with human papillomavirus pathology in a unilateral nasal polyp, presenting as chronic sinusitis in a diabetic woman. Although symptomatology initially presented as an episode of sinusitis, its unilateral and persistent nature underscores the importance of considering malignant nasal cavity cancer in patients, even when devoid of typical risk factors and symptoms. Improved prognosis with early stage malignant neoplasm of the nasal cavity demonstrates the importance of early detection.