Photo from med2date.com
Ear cancer can affect both the inside and outside of the ear. It frequently begins as a skin cancer on the outer ear and progresses to the other ear structures, including the ear canal and eardrum.
Ear cancer can potentially begin within the ear. It can impact the temporal bone, which is located inside the ear. The mastoid bone is also part of the temporal bone. This is the bony bulge behind your ear that you can feel.
Ear cancer is quite uncommon. Each year, only approximately 300 persons in the United States are diagnosed with it. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 250,000 new instances of breast cancer are predicted to be detected in 2018.
EAR CANCER TYPES
The ear can be affected by a variety of cancers. These include:
Skin cancers
- Basal cell carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma affects the epidermis's basal layer cells, or the skin's outermost layer.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the squamous cells of the epidermis. It is the most prevalent type of ear cancer. It spreads to other tissues more easily than basal cell carcinoma because it grows deeper into the body's cells. According to a 2016 case study, squamous cell carcinomas of the ear's outer cartilage have a 15% probability of spreading.
- Melanoma: Melanoma affects the melanocyte cells of the skin. When exposed to sunlight, these cells cause the skin to turn brown. Melanoma is a less common type of skin cancer than basal or squamous cell carcinoma, but it is more aggressive. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. According to a 2006 analysis, melanoma of the ear accounts for 1% of all melanoma cases.
Parotid tumors
Malignant parotid gland tumors can migrate to the ear canal. This gland is the body's largest salivary gland.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
This extremely rare cancer usually affects the salivary glands, although it can also be found in the ear. According to a 2013 case study, these tumors account for only 5% of all malignancies of the external auditory canal (the passageway from the outside of the head to the eardrum).
SYMPTOMS OF EAR CANCER
The symptoms of ear cancer differ depending on which area of your ear is affected.
The outer ear
The outer ear consists of the earlobe, ear rim (called the pinna), and the outer entrance to the ear canal.
Outer ear skin cancer symptoms include:
- rough patches of skin that persist even after hydrating
- pearly white bumps under the skin
- bleeding skin ulcers
The ear canal
Skin cancer in the ear canal can be identified by the following symptoms:
- a lump in or around the opening of the ear canal
- hearing loss
- ear discharge
The middle ear
The following are signs of skin cancer in the middle ear:
- Ear discharge, which may be bloody (most common symptom)
- hearing loss
- ear ache
- numbness on the affected side of the head
The inner ear
Inner ear skin cancer symptoms include:
- ear ache
- dizziness
- hearing loss
- ear ringing
- headache
EAR CANCER CAUSES
Researchers are unsure about what causes ear cancer. Because there are so few occurrences, it's difficult to say where it came from. However, researchers do know that certain factors may raise your risk of acquiring ear cancer. These include the following:
Being fair-skinned: This increases your overall risk of skin cancer.
Spending time in the sun without (or with insufficient) sunscreen: This increases your chances of developing skin cancer, which can subsequently progress to ear cancer.
Having a lot of ear infections: The inflammatory responses that accompany ear infections may influence the cellular alterations that lead to cancer in some way.
Growing older: Certain kinds of ear cancer are more common in people over the age of 65. According to one study, squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone is most common in the seventh decade of life.
EAR CANCER DIAGNOSIS
If you have any suspicious growths on the outside or inside of your ear, your doctor can remove some of the tissue and send it to a lab to be tested for cancer cells.
This is referred to as a biopsy. Depending on the location of the affected area, a biopsy may be performed under local or general anesthesia (so you don't feel any discomfort).
Inner ear cancerous growths can be more difficult to access. This makes it more difficult for your doctor to perform a biopsy without causing damage to the surrounding tissue. To determine whether cancer is present, your doctor may have to rely on imaging procedures such as an MRI or CT scan.
EAR CANCER TREATMENT
Treatment is usually determined by the size and location of the cancerous growth.
Skin cancers on the exterior of the ear are usually removed surgically. If considerable sections are removed, reconstructive surgery may be required.
Cancers of the ear canal or temporal bone necessitate surgery followed by radiotherapy. The extent of the tumor determines how much of the ear is removed.
The ear canal, bone, and eardrum may need to be removed in some circumstances. Your doctor may be able to repair your ear depending on how much is removed.
Hearing may not be greatly compromised in some circumstances. In some situations, you may require the usage of a hearing aid.
CONCLUSION
Ear cancer is quite uncommon. Survival rates vary based on where the tumor is located and how far it has progressed. Any growths around your ears should be evaluated by a healthcare expert. Apply the same procedure to any ear discharge or unexplained ear pain. Seek the opinion of an ENT if you have what appears to be a long-term (or recurring) ear infection, especially if you do not have a cold or other congestion.
Ear cancers are sometimes misdiagnosed as ear infections by doctors. This misdiagnosis allows the tumor to spread. As a result, it becomes more difficult to treat properly.
If you suspect ear cancer, seek a second opinion. Early detection is critical for a positive outcome.