Ear cancer can be both cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous (benign). It is a very rare disease that affects only one or two people in a million, usually after age 55. In the early stages of these rare tumors, little to no symptoms are experienced.
Benign tumors can develop in the ear canal, causing obstruction and subsequent hearing loss and earwax buildup. These types of tumors include:
Persistent ear pain is one of the main symptoms of carcinoma as well as bleeding, itching and tingling sensations. Some of the most common symptoms of middle and inner ear cancer include:
The tumors that most commonly affect the inner ear are:
The main causes that can lead to ear cancer are numerous and can vary from patient to patient. Generally, it can be said that this neoplasm can occur if the patient concerned has been subjected, even at an early age, to a series of treatments that could damage the ear.
Recognizing an ear tumor is very complex because the symptoms it presents are often confused with other conditions such as, for example, an ear infection. For this reason, it is very important to monitor with a specialist the symptoms manifested. An ACT scan and an MRI are fundamental examinations to accurately diagnose this condition.
Ear cancer can be treated with several ways depeding on the area affected by the tumor. In the case of an inner ear or middle ear tumor, the possible treatments are:
In case of an external ear tumor, the possible treatments are:
The best way to combat ear-related problemsis prevention. Schedule an appointment at one of our Amplifon centers to have your hearing health checked.
