NEW YORK, April 20: A 28-year-old woman from California, identified as Annika, has shared her harrowing experience of being diagnosed with a rare and deadly sinus cancer, which ultimately led to the removal of her right eye.

Initially, what was thought to be a routine sinus infection turned out to be far more sinister. Annika's doctors mistook the 'golf ball-sized tumor' that had spread throughout her face for a common sinus issue.

Annika first noticed discomfort in the inner corner of her right eye one morning in 2023. As the day progressed, the pain intensified, leading to significant swelling around her eye. Concerned, she sought medical attention, where a CT scan suggested inflammation associated with a sinus infection.

Despite initial treatments aimed at alleviating sinus-related symptoms, the swelling persisted and recurred within a week. During a subsequent visit to the emergency room, medical professionals detected a mass the size of a golf ball near Annika's eye, which had not been present just weeks earlier.

Further tests revealed the devastating diagnosis: Annika was suffering from stage four sinonasal carcinoma SMARCB1, a rare form of cancer that had spread to her face, lungs, and lymph nodes.

Sinonasal cancers, while rare, are known for their aggressive nature. According to data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this particular cancer constitutes only one percent of all head and neck cancers, with fewer than 200 reported cases in the medical literature.

Annika embarked on an arduous treatment journey, starting chemotherapy almost immediately after diagnosis. However, seeing minimal improvement, she underwent surgery in December 2023. The procedure involved removing tissue from her face, including her right eye, which was replaced with tissue from her thigh.

Currently, Annika is undergoing an experimental treatment plan involving chemotherapy and immunotherapy to slow the progression of her disease. Despite grim statistics surrounding her condition, she remains hopeful, acknowledging the uncertainties of her prognosis.

Annika's story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of timely and accurate medical diagnosis, as well as the resilience and courage required to confront life's most formidable challenges.