Cancers of the Ear

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 Cancers of the ear usually occur on the skin of the outer ear. Cancers of the ear can develop inside the ear too, but these are very rare. There are different types of cancers (carcinomas and melanomas) that can affect the ear. Most ear cancers are squamous cell carcinoma on the outer ear, but basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma can also occur inside the ear.

A scabbed area of skin that is jagged and irregular with crusting and oozing—usually on the upper edge of   the outer part of the ear.  This area may be present for many years and may or may not be associated with a swelling or lump in the neck. This is generally caused by spending long periods of time in the sun. Treatment for people with small cancers of the skin of the ear includes surgery to remove the affected area. Often no further treatment is required, especially if the cancer is confined to the outer edge of the ear. 

  Discharge from the ear canal, often tinged with blood Hearing loss, sometimes facial paralysis on the side of the affected ear with an ear-ache. The causes of this condition are unknown at this time but may be more common in adults with long history of outer ear infections. Treatment for people with cancer of the auditory cancel includes surgery to remove parts of the middle ear. 

Discharge from ear for long period of time, recent blood-stained discharge, hearing loss, sometimes facial paralysis. The causes of this condition are unknown but may be more common in adults with history of discharge from ears for long periods of time. Treatments for people with cancer of the middle ear includes surgery and radiation, which targets rays of energy at small areas of cancer cells that might not have been removed during surgery.