Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

What is Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA)?

JNA is a benign tumor (growth) of the nasal cavity that typically affects adolescent boys. Although it is non-cancerous, it can be grow to a significantly large size and expand itself from the nasal cavity into a variety of compartments in the head making it a challenging tumor to treat.

What are the symptoms of JNA?

The symptoms are typically nasal obstruction and bleeding from the nose. Occasionally, headaches and facial swelling may be present. Bleeding from only one side of the nose is typically concerning for tumors such as JNA and should be examined by an otolaryngologist.

How is JNA treated?

Surgery is the preferred method of treatment. In the past, surgical management included surgical procedures that required incisions in the face or mouth (lateral rhinotomy, transpalatal, transmaxillary, and mid-face degloving approaches), but more recently incision-less approaches through the nose using advanced endoscopic sinus surgery techniques have been used successfully. Considerable surgical experience is required to successfully perform the endoscopic operation. The nasal and sinus surgeons at UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery have significant experience with endoscopic treatment of JNA.

View a scientific report on the endoscopic treatment of JNA. (pdf)

For additional information, visit the Nasal and Sinus Disease Center.