This very rare type of cancer typically affects the salivary glands, but can also be seen in the ear. A case report estimates that these tumors account for only 5 percent of cancers of the external auditory canal the passageway from the outside of the head to the eardrum.
Malignant growths of the parotid gland can spread to the ear canal. This gland is the largest salivary gland in the body. The outer ear includes the earlobe, ear rim called the pinna , and the outer entrance to the ear canal. Signs of skin cancer in the ear canal include:. Signs of skin cancer in the middle ear include:. Signs of skin cancer in the inner ear include:.
But researchers do know that certain things may increase your chances of developing ear cancer. These include:. If you have any suspicious growths on the outside of your ear or in your middle ear, your doctor can remove some of the tissue and send it to a lab to check for cancer cells. This procedure is called a biopsy. Cancerous growths on the inner ear can be more difficult to reach.
This makes it harder for your doctor to biopsy without damaging surrounding tissue. Your doctor may have to rely on imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan to get an idea if cancer is present. Skin cancers on the outside of the ear are generally cut out.
If large areas are removed, you may need reconstruction surgery. Your doctor will provide the information you need to make the right decision regarding your individual condition. Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a noncancerous and usually slow-growing tumor that develops on the main vestibular nerve leading from your inner ear to your brain.
Branches of this nerve directly influence your balance and hearing, and pressure from an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, ringing in your ear and unsteadiness. Acoustic neuroma usually arises from the Schwann cells covering this nerve and grows slowly or not at all. Rarely, it may grow rapidly and become large enough to press against the brain and interfere with vital functions. Signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma are often subtle and may take many years to develop.
Pressure from the tumor on adjacent nerves controlling facial muscles and sensation facial and trigeminal nerves , nearby blood vessels, or brain structures may also cause problems. In rare cases, an acoustic neuroma may grow large enough to compress the brainstem and become life-threatening.
See your doctor if you notice hearing loss in one ear, ringing in your ear or trouble with your balance. Early diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma may help keep the tumor from growing large enough to cause serious consequences, such as total hearing loss or a life-threatening buildup of fluid within your skull.
The only confirmed risk factor for acoustic neuroma is having a parent with the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2. But neurofibromatosis type 2 only accounts for about 5 percent of acoustic neuroma cases. Acoustic neuroma is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages because signs and symptoms may be subtle and develop gradually over time.
Common symptoms such as hearing loss are also associated with many other middle and inner ear problems. To treat acoustic neuroma, your doctor may suggest one or more of three potential treatment methods: monitoring, surgery or radiation therapy. The middle ear is a small cavity which contains 3 small bones. These pass on the vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The cochlea has lots of tiny hair-like nerves on it. It converts the vibrations from the middle ear into nerve impulses which then travel to the brain.
The bone that surrounds the ear is called the temporal bone. The ear canal, middle ear and inner ear are all within the temporal bone.
The temporal bone is part of the skull above the ear. One part of the temporal bone is called the mastoid bone. It is the lumpy bit you can feel behind your ear. The outside of the mastoid bone is a hard solid bone but inside is bone that is shaped like honeycomb.
There is air inside the small cavities. They also contain the inner ear and the nerves that control the movement of the face and tongue. People with a history of chronic ear infections have a higher risk of developing cancer in the middle ear. Chronic means for 10 years or more. Cancer of the ear canal is very rare. Although the ear canal is part of the outer ear, the symptoms, stages and treatment of ear canal cancer are similar to middle and inner ear cancer. You can read about cancer that starts in the ear canal on the pages about cancer of the ear canal, middle ear and inner ear.
The bone that surrounds the ear is called the temporal bone. The ear canal, middle ear and inner ear are all within the temporal bone. The temporal bone is part of the skull above the ear.
One part of the temporal bone is called the mastoid bone. It is the lumpy bit you can feel behind your ear. The outside of the mastoid bone is a hard solid bone but inside is bone that's shaped like honeycomb.
There is air inside the small cavities. They also contain the inner ear and the nerves that control the movement of the face and tongue. Most squamous cell cancers are pink lumps that have a hard scaly surface.
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