Can Nasal Polyps Grow on Only One Side of the Nose?

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, benign (noncancerous) growths that can develop along the linings of the nose and sinuses. These growths are noncancerous and are often associated with chronic inflammation.

Small, individual polyps can cause little to no noticeable symptoms. However, larger or cluster growths may narrow the nasal passages, causing more noticeable symptoms, including poor sinus drainage and breathing difficulties through the nose.

Nasal polyps that grow on both sides of the nose are more common. They are often teardrop-shaped, but as they grow larger, they can look more like peeled grapes.

What are the common symptoms of nasal polyps?

Symptoms vary per patient, depending on the size, number, and location of the growths. Common signs to look out for include:

• Persistent nasal congestion
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• A runny nose
• Sinus or facial pressure
• A reduced sense of taste or smell
• Recurring sinus infections
• Snoring or mouth breathing

What causes nasal polyps?

Healthcare professionals have yet to determine the exact cause of nasal polyps. They are, however, strongly associated with chronic inflammation in the nose and sinuses.

Common conditions that can be linked to increased chances of developing nasal polyps may include:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Cystic fibrosis
• Certain immune-related conditions

Can Nasal Polyps Develop on Only One Side of the Nose?

Yes, nasal polyps or polyp-like growth may sometimes develop on only one side of the nose. However, this is uncommon and usually requires a medical evaluation.

True inflammatory nasal polyps typically develop on both sides of the nose. This is known as bilateral polyps. Bilateral polyps are more common because the chronic inflammation affects the entire nasal and sinus linings. A growth that is limited to just one side of the nose can be described as a unilateral nasal mass.

Because typical nasal polyp inflammation is more commonly bilateral, ENT specialists pay particular attention when a polyp is limited to only one side of the nose.

A unilateral polyp can result from several reasons. Some may be linked to chronic inflammation or benign growths, while others may need additional evaluation to determine exactly what the growth is.

A consultation with an ENT care provider can help assess your symptoms and determine what may be contributing to the unilateral growth.

What Does One-Sided Nasal Polyp Growth Mean?

Several factors can contribute to one-sided nasal polyp growth, including:

• Localized sinus inflammation: In some cases, chronic inflammation may affect only a particular region of the sinus or nasal cavity, producing localized or one-sided polyp-like growth. This may cause symptoms that are noticeably worse on one side.
• Antrochoanal polyps: An antrochoanal polyp is a type of benign polyp that is often unilateral and may cause persistent one-sided nasal obstruction. It typically originates in the maxillary sinus and extends into the nasal cavity toward the back of the nose.
• Other benign nasal growths: Not every growth in the nasal and sinus passages that looks like a nasal polyp is actually an inflammatory nasal polyp. They can take on a similar appearance but may actually be another benign growth, which is why further evaluation is necessary to distinguish between these different types of growth.
• Less common but more serious causes: Although less common, some tumor growths in the nasal or sinus cavity can resemble a polyp at first. However, a unilateral growth does not automatically mean that it is cancerous. Many unilateral growths are due to benign causes, and a consultation with your healthcare provider can help assess your symptoms and determine contributing factors to these growths.

How Is One-Sided Nasal Polyp Growth Evaluated?

Several factors can cause unilateral nasal obstruction or growth, which is why an ENT evaluation is necessary to determine the location, nature, and extent of the tissue growth.

Evaluation may include a thorough assessment of your medical history, as well as a physical examination of your nasal and sinus passages. Your care provider will ask questions about your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing nasal congestion or obstruction, changes in your sense of smell, your allergy or chronic sinusitis history, and previous treatments and how well they worked.

In some cases, a nasal endoscopy or CT imaging of the sinuses may be recommended to provide more information about the nasal and sinus cavities.

A biopsy is not necessary for all patients with nasal polyps, but may be recommended for a unilateral mass with an unusual appearance, or if there are concerns about the growth. This will allow the tissue to be evaluated more precisely.

Are One-Sided Nasal Polyps Cancerous?

A one-sided nasal growth is not automatically cancerous. Several benign and inflammatory conditions can cause unilateral growths.

However, because some less common but more serious conditions can resemble nasal polyps, healthcare providers may investigate persistent unilateral tissue growth more carefully.

When Is It Time to See an ENT Specialist for Nasal Polyps?

Consider consulting with an ENT specialist if you are experiencing:

• Persistent one-sided congestion
• A visible or suspected excess tissue growth inside the nose
• Facial or sinus pressure
• Noticeable changes in your sense of smell
• Frequent nosebleeds, particularly from one side
• Persistent sinus symptoms despite treatment

Moreover, seek prompt medical attention for concerning symptoms, such as:

• Rapidly worsening symptoms
• Facial swelling
• Significant or difficult-to-control bleeding
• Vision changes

One-Sided Nasal Obstruction May Be Worth Checking

San Antonio Breathe Free provides ear, nose, and throat care services for patients in Live Oak and the surrounding communities.

If you are experiencing persistent nasal polyp symptoms that do not improve despite treatment, contact our team to learn about how we can help.