"One Eye Blindness..." 😥 The 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer' That Overwhelmed Late Attorney Baek Sung-moon (ft. Thought It Was 'Rhinitis'... Early Symptoms, Causes Guide)

Folks... 😥 I am truly saddened to deliver this deeply regrettable and shocking news.
Attorney **Baek Sung-moon**, well-known to us for his clear commentary on numerous current affairs programs like MBN's 'News Fighter' and JTBC's 'Incident Captain'.

The news is that he passed away yesterday (October 31st) in the early hours, at the age of 52, after a battle with 'cancer'.

His always energetic demeanor on broadcasts, and his marriage to **YTN Announcer Kim Sun-young** in 2019 that garnered much attention... this sudden tragic news is even harder to believe.

Especially, through the memorial post by his wife, Announcer Kim Sun-young, on social media, it was revealed that the disease he battled was a **rare cancer** called **'Paranasal Sinus Cancer' (부비동암)**, and that **"he lost sight in one eye during chemotherapy"**, deepening the collective grief. 😭

"What exactly is 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer'?" 🤯
This terrifying cancer, whose early symptoms are **too similar to 'rhinitis' or 'sinusitis'**, making early detection extremely difficult. I will meticulously cover everything, in over 1500 characters: why diagnosis is difficult, its 'critical reasons', 'causes', and 'early symptoms'! All perfectly explained! 🚀

"My husband fought fiercely until the very end to return to broadcasting, and determined to protect his wife, he struggled with all his might, even walking barefoot, despite losing sight in one eye during chemotherapy..."

This is part of the memorial post shared by the late Attorney Baek Sung-moon's wife, YTN Announcer Kim Sun-young, on social media. 😭 Diagnosed with a rare cancer called 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer' last summer, he fought a fierce battle for over a year but ultimately passed away.

Upon hearing this news, many people are curious about the unfamiliar term 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer'. A cancer whose early symptoms are easily mistaken for 'rhinitis' or 'sinusitis', making **'early detection' extremely difficult**. What kind of disease is it? Let's delve into it now.

1. "Where Exactly is 'Paranasal Sinus'?" 🧐 (What is Paranasal Sinus Cancer?)

The term 'Paranasal Sinus' might sound unfamiliar to you. 😅 You might be surprised to learn that there are such spaces around our nose.

What is a 'Paranasal Sinus'?
It refers to the **'empty spaces (cavities)'** located within our **facial bones**, around the nose. These spaces are filled with air and play crucial roles in regulating the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe and filtering out foreign substances.
Location of Paranasal Sinuses (Total 4 pairs, 8 cavities):
- Maxillary Sinus: (Most common site for paranasal sinus cancer!) Located on both sides of the nose, within the bone behind the **'cheeks'**.
- Ethmoid Sinus: Located deep **between the eyes**.
- Frontal Sinus: Located in the central part of the **forehead**.
- Sphenoid Sinus: Located in the **deepest central part** of the head.
What is 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer'?
It is a **malignant tumor (cancer)** that develops within these 'paranasal sinuses'. It accounts for less than 1% of all human malignancies and only 3-5% of head and neck cancers, making it classified as a **'rare cancer'**. The most common site for its occurrence is the 'maxillary sinus' (inside the cheek).

2. 🚨 "Is This an 'Cancer' Symptom?"... Identical to 'Rhinitis'! (Reasons for Difficult Early Detection)

One of the reasons why the tragic news of late Attorney Baek Sung-moon is even more heartbreaking is that the 'early symptoms' of paranasal sinus cancer are so similar to those of **colds, rhinitis, and sinusitis that they are 'indistinguishable'**. 😭 This makes early diagnosis extremely challenging.

[ 🤧 Early Symptoms Easily Mistaken for 'Rhinitis' or 'Sinusitis' ]
- Unilateral Nasal Congestion: A distinctive early symptom is persistent blockage in **'one nostril'** rather than both.
- Thick nasal discharge, mucous nasal discharge.
- Decreased or lost sense of smell.
- Recurrent Nosebleeds: Sometimes, **bloody nasal discharge** may appear frequently, not just simple nosebleeds.
Most patients often mistake these symptoms for simple rhinitis or a cold, seeking treatment from general practitioners instead of ENT specialists, or simply neglecting them, allowing the disease to progress significantly.
[ 🤯 Severe Symptoms Appearing When 'Cancer' Has Progressed (Missed Golden Time!) ]
Since the paranasal sinus is an 'empty space', cancer initially causes no specific symptoms. Severe symptoms only appear when the cancer has grown, breached the surrounding bone, and **invaded 'adjacent vital organs'**, by which time it is often already in an advanced stage.
- 1. Eye Invasion (Critical, as in Late Attorney Baek Sung-moon's Case! 😥)
  - Exophthalmos: Protrusion of the eyeball as the tumor pushes the eye.
  - Vision Loss, Diplopia: Seeing double or a rapid decline in vision.
  - (As Announcer Kim Sun-young stated that her husband "lost sight in one eye during chemotherapy," tumor invasion around the eye and optic nerve can cause devastating vision damage.)
- 2. Oral Cavity Invasion
  - Upper Gum Pain, Loose Teeth: Pain in the upper gums or teeth, and loose teeth, similar to a cavity.
  - Patients using dentures may suddenly find their dentures no longer fit properly.
- 3. Facial Invasion
  - One side of the face swelling or becoming asymmetrical: Abnormal swelling or change in the shape of one side of the face.
  - **Pain** or sensory abnormalities (such as numbness) may occur in the cheek or under the eye.
- 4. Cranial Nerve Invasion
  - Persistent headaches, facial paralysis, and other symptoms of cranial nerve palsy.
Thus, it is common for patients to receive a belated diagnosis of 'Stage 4 paranasal sinus cancer' after visiting an ophthalmologist for "blurry vision" or a dentist for "loose teeth". 😭

3. "Am I Okay?" 🧐 5 'Risk Factors' for Paranasal Sinus Cancer

While the exact causes of paranasal sinus cancer are not yet 100% understood, certain environmental exposures or lifestyle habits are known to increase the risk of developing the disease.

1️⃣ Occupational Factors (Most Probable Risk Factor):
- Especially high rates of occurrence are found in occupational groups exposed long-term to dust from specific industries, such as **wood dust (sawdust), metal dust (nickel, chromium), and leather dust**.
2️⃣ Smoking & Alcohol Consumption: (Again! Enemies of Health!)
- Carcinogens in tobacco smoke can directly irritate the paranasal sinus lining, inducing cellular changes, and excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risk. 🚬
3️⃣ Chronic Inflammation:
- Untreated and long-term persistent **'chronic rhinosinusitis (sinusitis)'** or rhinitis can cause continuous inflammatory reactions in the paranasal sinus lining, potentially leading to cellular changes.
4️⃣ Exposure to Chemicals:
- Long-term exposure to certain industrial chemicals such as formaldehyde, paint dust, and solvents increases the risk.
5️⃣ Viral Infections:
- Some studies report that infections like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) may be associated with the development of paranasal sinus cancer.

4. Treatment & Prognosis: "Early Detection is the Only Way" (High Recurrence Rate and Low Survival Rate)

As previously mentioned, paranasal sinus cancer is difficult to detect early, and its proximity to vital organs such as the brain and eyes makes treatment very challenging, often leading to a high recurrence rate.

Treatment: Generally, a complex treatment plan is devised, combining **surgery (tumor removal)** with **radiation therapy** and **chemotherapy**, depending on the size and location of the tumor.
Survival Rate (5-year):
- With Early Detection: Shows a relatively high survival rate of 59.5% to over 70%.
- In Advanced Stages (bone invasion, metastasis): The survival rate drops sharply to under 30-50%. 😥
(Given that the survival rate has not significantly improved from the 51% level in the 1990s, it's clear how crucial 'early diagnosis' is for treatment and prognosis.)

Through the tragic news of the late Attorney Baek Sung-moon, we are once again reminded of the terror of the unfamiliar rare cancer 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer' and the importance of early diagnosis.

Folks, if you...
**"Have had rhinitis/sinusitis for a very long time"**
**"Consistently have only 'one' nostril blocked or stuffy"**
**"Frequently experience nosebleeds or bloody nasal discharge"**
**"Have unexplained swelling in one cheek or pain in the upper gums, or loose teeth"**

...If you experience any of these symptoms, absolutely do not dismiss them as "just rhinitis again," but **please visit an ENT specialist and get a 'nasal endoscopy'**! 🙏 Protecting your health proactively is of utmost importance.

The late Attorney Baek Sung-moon, who always provided clear commentary and a warm smile on broadcasts. Remembering his fierce battle with the disease and his will to live, I offer my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace. 🕯️

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"One Eye Blindness..." 😥 The 'Paranasal Sinus Cancer' That Overwhelmed Late Attorney Baek Sung-moon (ft. Thought It Was 'Rhinitis'... Early Symptoms, Causes Guide)