Similar to breast cancer, nose cancer starts with a lump. Patients typically notice a swelling, which is then examined by a doctor with the help of a nasoscope. A small piece of tissue from the lump or ulcer is removed for a biopsy.
Once the cancer is diagnosed, further tests such a blood tests, x-rays and scans of the head and neck, as well as a bone and liver scan, are carried out to see if and how far the cancer has spread.