About nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are benign growths that can arise from inflamed tissue high and deep in the nasal passages.1 Evidence suggests that conditions that trigger chronic inflammation in the nose and/or nasal sinuses can promote nasal polyposis.2,3 Nasal polyposis is a phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).1,3

CRS is an inflammatory condition commonly divided into 2 main subgroups: CRS with and without nasal polyps.2

Symptoms of nasal polyps include at least two out of four cardinal symptoms that persist for at least 12 consecutive weeks2:

Icon representing symptoms of nasal congestion and obstruction from CRS with nasal polyps
Nasal congestion
or obstruction
Icon representing symptoms of facial pain/pressure from CRS with nasal polyps
Facial
pain/pressure
Icon representing symptoms of rhinorrhea or postnasal drip from CRS with nasal polyps
Rhinorrhea or
postnasal drip
Icon representing symptoms of reduction or loss of sense of smell and taste from CRS with nasal polyps
Reduction or loss of
sense of smell and taste

XHANCE is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of nasal polyps in patients 18 years of age or older.

Nasal polyps are common but may be difficult to visualize

Up to 10 million adults in the United States have nasal polyps.3,4

  • In the general population, the prevalence of nasal polyps has been reported to be up to 4%6,7
  • Histopathologic evaluation of 1,944 endoscopic sinus surgery specimens removed during an 8-year period at one center found that 65% had evidence of nasal polyp tissue8
  • In XHANCE pivotal trials, patients had moderate-to-severe congestion and evidence of nasal polyps, yet up to 86% of nasal polyps at baseline likely could not be readily visualized (did not extend below the inferior turbinate) during a routine exam with speculum9
Graphic of view of nasal anatomy using a speculum in the middle turbinate
Graphic of view of nasal anatomy using an endoscope showing a nasal polyp in the middle turbinate

 

 

Nasal polyps reside high and deep in the nasal passages

Graphic of nasal passages showing polyps, that OMC is located behind the middle turbinate, and where the superior, middle, and inferior turbinates are located
Graphic of nasal passages showing polyps, middle meatus location, and where the superior, middle, and inferior turbinates are located

Chronic inflammation accompanied by polypoid tissue in the middle meatus obstructs ventilation and drainage1

The ostiomeatal complex (OMC) is a region where nasal polyps usually originate and through which most sinuses drain and ventilate.10-13

  • Complexities of the nasal anatomy also make it difficult for an anti-inflammatory to reach high and deep in the nasal passages, including the OMC
  • Nasal polyps may not be visible during a routine nasal exam
Review peer insight that may help physicians diagnose nasal polyps.
See what makes XHANCE different.