What is ear cancer?
Ear cancer is a very rare disease that affects very few people. In fact, it is estimated that only one to two people per million will suffer from it. The average age at which this problem appears is around 55 years of age.
The ear is composed of an external part, called the ear or auricle, an auditory canal or duct through which sound passes into the ear, reaching the eardrum.
The auditory canal is located just in front of the salivary glands and the temporomandibular joint. The lower part of the ear is located near the jugular vein and the facial nerve, which controls the expressive muscles of the face.
There are two types of tumors, cancerous and non-cancerous. Non-cancerous tumors include epidermal inclusion cysts, osteomas and exostoses and keloids.
Among cancerous tumors, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are common cancers that can occur in the outer ear after prolonged sun exposure. Melanoma is another option in ear cancer.
Ear cancer prognosis
Ear cancer is a very rare disease, with a low prevalence. In general, when it is a malignant tumor, its spread to lymphatic areas is more frequent than in other areas of the ear.
Tumors that may develop in the outer or cartilaginous part of the ear invade the cartilage walls and spread to areas where bone is found. However, tumors that develop in the bony areas of the ear have a ‘barrier’ that prevents their spread out of the area, progressing through the bony part of the ear canal and invading the middle ear and cartilage.
More advanced cancers may require removal of part or all of the outer ear.
Symptoms of ear cancer
One of the main indicators for identifying ear cancer is the presence or sensation of pain for more than four weeks in the ear.
If there is pain and bleeding, this would be one of the earliest signs that cancer is present.
Itching or tingling sensations are symptoms that a tumor may develop.
Some of the common symptoms of central and inner ear cancer are as follows:
- Inability to move the face on the affected side.
- Ear pain
- Loss of hearing
- Swollen glands of the neck
- Common headaches
Ear structure
Medical tests for ear cancer
Making a diagnosis of ear cancer is not a simple task. In fact, symptoms such as tingling, discharge or pain are sometimes confused with other diseases or problems, such as infections or other conditions that have little or nothing to do with cancer.
In the event that the signs of cancer are permanent despite the use of medications and antibiotics, this will be a warning sign. Fluid leaking from the ear and pain are common symptoms in cancer cases. Swelling in the back area of the ear, as well as a loss of hearing and facial paralysis may be symptoms of an advanced stage, although it may also be due to other diseases.
What are the causes of ear cancer?
There are several causes of hearing problems in the form of ear cancer:
- The patient was less than four years old when he/she received a treatment that could have damaged his/her hearing.
- The patient had hearing problems or was at risk of having them before diagnosis.
- The patient has received high doses of carboplatin or cisplatin.
- The patient has received a combination of treatments that resulted in hearing damage. An example could be the combination of cisplatin together with radiotherapy.
- The patient has had an infection, surgery or a tumor in the brain, ear or auditory nerve.
- The patient had kidney problems and received treatment that could damage the ear.
Can ear cancer be prevented?
In terms of prevention, there is no specific way to prevent ear cancer from occurring. However, if attention is paid to the causes, and the patient has any kind of suspicion, he/she should see a specialist as soon as possible.
Treatment of ear cancer
There are various ways of dealing with a malignant tumor or ear cancer, although a distinction should be made between the outer ear and the middle or inner ear.
- Treatment for outer ear cancer
- Mohs micrographic surgery
- Local suppression
- Suppression biopsy
- Lymph node surgery
- Otoplasty or ear reconstruction surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Middle and inner ear cancer treatment
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
What specialist treats ear cancer?
The specialist in diagnosing and treating ear cancer will be the Otolaryngologist in collaboration with the Oncologist. The Radiologist may also be involved in the process.