Your health care provider will conduct a physical examination, and take blood or urine tests, as well as perform a skin biopsy. If cancer is suspected, a pathologist will study the sample under a microscope to make a final diagnosis. A deep otoscopic examination, which will require the use of sedation, is the first step. After the initial examination, a doctor will likely order a chest x-ray to determine the extent of the tumors and whether the cancer is inoperable.
Skin cancers that start near the ear are typically basal cell carcinoma, which begins in the ear canal or on the outer lobe of the skull. Almost all cases of ear cancer are diagnosed in men than in women. About 200 to 300 people in the United States are diagnosed with ear cancer each year. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, begins slowly and develops into a white bump. When left untreated, this cancer can spread to other parts of the body. It can cause hearing loss, facial paralysis, and dizziness.
The extent of your recovery after surgery will depend on the type of cancer and the location of the tumor. If your cancer has spread to the ear canal, you may need to have additional ear parts removed. If the cancer has spread deep into the ear, you may need chemotherapy to treat the tumor. Your prognosis is generally good, but you will need to undergo follow-ups to make sure the cancer does not come back.
Ear cancer is the most common type of skin cancer and can spread to the middle ear. The symptoms of this cancer vary depending on where in the ear the cancer has spread. Some types of ear cancer are more likely to appear in older people. For instance, squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone typically develops in the seventh decade of life. Most cases of cancer near the ear will be treatable if caught early enough.
Typically, a biopsy will be needed if cancer is found in the middle ear. However, it is often impossible to biopsy cancer near the ear without damaging the surrounding structures. A biopsy may also be recommended if there is a small skin cancer on the pinna. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy may be recommended in the case of a larger ear tumor. However, it is also important to note that this cancer is detected early, as early treatment will increase your chances of a successful cure.
Treatment of cancer in the temporal bone and ear canal is dependent on the size and location of the tumor. Small tumors in the outer ear may be removed by a surgeon during a routine office visit. In rare cases, the entire temporal bone needs to be removed. Fortunately, treatments for cancer near the ear are highly effective, if the tumor is small enough. While the condition can affect the ear canal, surgery can help to restore hearing.
