National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

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Other Names:
SNUC; Highly aggressive undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
Categories:
Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a type of cancer that develops in the sinuses of the head. SNUC occurs when cells from the layer of tissue that lines the sinuses (called the epithelium) rapidly increase in number, forming a mass. The first symptoms of SNUC may include difficulty breathing though the nose or mild facial pain. As SNUC progresses, other symptoms may include nosebleeds, facial numbness, or tingling in the face. SNUC is an aggressive cancer, meaning it grows rapidly and has a tendency to spread into healthy tissues nearby and to more distant parts of the body (metastasis).[1][2] The cause of SNUC is still unknown.[3] When possible, the treatment is the complete removal of the tumor, combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In cases where the tumor can't be removed completely, the treatment is with radiation and chemotherapy. The risk of the tumor coming back (relapse) is high and the probability of cure is modest.[4]
Last updated: 11/10/2016
The exact cause of this tumor is still unknown. There are several risk factors that may increase the chances of developing it, such as:[5]
  • Occupational exposure: Breathing in certain substances while working, such as dust from the manufacturing of wood, textiles, leather, flour, and metals (including nickel and chromium). 
  • Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Being male and older than 40 years.
  • Smoking.

Last updated: 11/10/2016
Treatment is determined for each affected individual based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.[1] Currently, it is believed that the best treatment for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma consists of multiple therapies, including surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, and chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the body.[1][6]  If surgery can remove the tumor completely, and it is followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the survival outcome is better. In cases where the tumor can't be completely removed by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are indicated.[7]

Other treatment options are currently being studied, such as boron neutron capture therapy, autologous bone marrow transplant, and neoadjuvant selective intra-arterial cisplatin with concurrent radiation therapy, which showed limited success. Other researches are investigating the use of TK-inhibitors targeting c-KIT (e.g. Imatinib/Gleevac).[8]  

Follow-up treatment can involve dental prostheses, eye prostheses, and visits with dentists and ophthalmologists, in addition to regular follow-up with the original treating doctors for cancer follow-up. This follow-up consists of regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, if necessary, tissue biopsy.[9]
Last updated: 11/10/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Providing General Support

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • The HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance for underinsured patients living with chronic and life-altering conditions. They offer help with drug copayments, deductibles, and health insurance premiums for patients with specific diseases. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • My husband was diagnosed with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC).  We know very little about it. The cancer has metastasized to his lymph nodes and liver.  It started with a very large tumor that grew up from the sinuses and pressed against his frontal lobe. He has had surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy.  Any information you have about this cancer, any current therapies, or research trials could be helpful.
    See answer


  1. Schmidt ER & Berry RL. Diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: report of a case and review of the literature. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery. 2008; 66:1505-1510. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18571040.
  2. Xu CC, Dziegielewski PT, McGaw WT & Seikaly H. Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC): the Alberta experience and literature review. Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. 2013; 42:2. http://journalotohns.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1916-0216-42-2.
  3. Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma. NORD. 20014; https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sinonasal-undifferentiated-carcinoma/.
  4. Khan MN, Konuthula N, Parasher A, Genden EM, Miles BA, Govindaraj S & Iloreta AM. Treatment modalities in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: an analysis from the national cancer database. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. October 7 2016; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27717204.
  5. American Cancer Society. Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancers. January 2013; http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003123-pdf.pdf. Accessed 1/22/2013.
  6. Reiersen DA, Pahilan ME, Devaiah AK. Meta-analysis of treatment outcomes for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery. 2012; 147:7-14. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22460731.
  7. Kuo P, Manes RP, Schwam ZG & Judson BL. Survival Outcomes for Combined Modality Therapy for Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. October 4, 2016; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27703092.
  8. Xu CC, Dziegielewski PT, McGaw WT & Seikaly H. Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC): the Alberta experience and literature review. Journal of Otolaryngol-Head & Neck Surgery. 2013; 42(2):http://journalotohns.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1916-0216-42-2.
  9. Khan MN & cols. Treatment modalities in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: An analysis from the National Cancer Database. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2016; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/alr.21861/full.