Tumors

Tumors of the ear may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Most ear tumors are found when a person sees them, or when a doctor looks in the ear because the person notices his hearing seems decreased.

Noncancerous tumors may develop in the ear canal, blocking it and causing hearing loss and a buildup of earwax. Such tumors include small sacs filled with skin secretions (sebaceous cysts), osteomas (bone tumors), and growths of excess scar tissue after an injury (keloids). The most effective treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. After treatment, hearing usually returns to normal.

Basal cell and squamous cell cancers (see Section 18, Chapter 216) are common skin cancers that often develop on the external ear after repeated and prolonged exposure to the sun. When these cancers first appear, they can be successfully treated by removing them surgically or by applying radiation therapy. More advanced cancers may require surgical removal of a larger area of the external ear.

Ceruminoma (cancer of the cells that produce earwax) develops in the outer third of the ear canal and can spread. Ceruminomas have nothing to do with earwax buildup. Treatment consists of removing the cancer and the surrounding tissue surgically.