Ear cancer is a malignant neoplasm of the auricle, auditory canal, or middle section of the system. This disease is considered quite rare, but very dangerous. Symptoms and signs of ear cancer are manifested in the form of bleeding granulations and ulcers, abnormal discharge, itching, the occurrence of a node, noise. Probably hearing impairment on the one hand. Over time, with the development of pathology, the symptoms of ear cancer become more extensive, signs of damage to the cranial nerves appear. This pathology requires early diagnosis to conduct successful therapy.
general information
Ear cancer is a fairly rare disease, which is a malignant tumor. Most often, the neoplasm originates on the basis of epithelial cells, sometimes from the corresponding soft tissues. Pathology is approximately 1% of the total number of oncological diseases. Usually, people over the age of 40 are more prone to this defect. As for gender, both women and men equally often experience ear cancer.
Symptoms and signs of pathology often mislead patients, reminding themselves of other diseases, which makes timely diagnosis difficult. However, it is she who is the main condition for successful therapy and getting rid of the neoplasm. The diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints, results of radiography, otoscopy, MRI, CT, biopsy and other instrumental studies. With regard to treatment, the classic option is surgery, radiotherapy, an electrosurgical method and chemotherapy.
Features
According to statistics, the most common type of pathology is an outer shell tumor (approximately 80% of all diagnosed cases), the ear canal cancer is the second most common, and the middle ear is the third.
Malignant neoplasms often appear due to all kinds of injuries and inflammations of a chronic nature. The tumor can cover nearby tissues, can penetrate the inner ear, affect the cranial nerves, cause carcinoma of the meninges and cause abnormal bleeding due to damage to the carotid artery. In severe stages, the symptoms of ear cancer become more pronounced and extensive, the neoplasm metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. More distant metastases are extremely rarely diagnosed. Otolaryngologists and oncologists should deal with the treatment of pathology.
Causes
The exact prerequisites for the development of this pathology have not yet been established. But doctors talk about several conditions that contribute to the appearance of cancer. Among these factors, special attention is paid to precancerous and inflammatory diseases of the ear. So, a borderline nevus, polyp or chronic ulcer can become the precursor of a neoplasm. The risk of a malignant tumor is significantly increased in the presence of laryngitis and otitis media, frostbite, burns, scars and various ear injuries.
In addition, psoriasis, SLE, and chronic eczema are among the pathologies that cause the onset of cancerous tumors in the auricle area. Exogenous conditions also occupy an important place in the development of cancer: for example, ionizing radiation and excessive insolation. A less significant role is played by lowered temperature and high humidity, which contributes to the onset of inflammatory phenomena in the nasopharynx and ears. In addition, some doctors say there is a genetic predisposition to oncological malformations.
Classification
Due to the localization of the neoplasm, cancer is divided into two types: a tumor of the middle and outer ear. The latter variety, in turn, is divided into: damage to the conch and auditory canal. Taking into account the causes of the pathology, doctors distinguish between secondary and primary ear cancer. Symptoms of these conditions are slightly different, but the main difference lies precisely in the premise for the nucleation of abnormal cells. The primary focus develops with malignancy of the ear tissues, and the secondary, as a rule, is the result of the proliferation of malignant neoplasms from nearby organs.
In addition, there is an endophytic and exophytic type of tumor development. The first type grows mostly in depth, and the second - into the lumen of the affected organ. Three types of tumors are distinguished depending on the microscopic structure: solitary vegetative, infiltrative and ulcerative. And taking into account the distinctive features of the histological structure, several types are distinguished.
- Spinocellular epithelium. It is born on the basis of epithelial cells. Symptoms of ear cancer of this type are characterized by extensiveness and rapid progression. This is due to the fact that the tumor itself grows very intensively. If the tumor is localized in the shell, it is a specific growth that resembles a wart with a wide base. In the case when the tumor is in the ear canal, visually it looks like erosion. In some cases, the growth grows over the entire channel.
- Basalioma Comes from epithelial cells. This type is characterized by delayed development and metastasis in the later stages. It visually looks like an ulcer or a flat growth that resembles a scar.
- Sarcoma. Comes from the corresponding connective cells. Diagnosed extremely rarely. A feature of this species is slow growth when localized in the shell and fast when it is in the auditory canal.
In some cases, melanomas appear in the ear, the development of which proceeds identically to other similar tumors.
Other varieties
In addition, doctors classify pathology, depending on its prevalence:
- Stage 1 - cancer affects the outer ear or mucous membrane of the middle section, as well as the corresponding cartilage and bone components;
- Stage 2 - the tumor penetrates the cartilage of the shell or bone tissue of the middle ear, but does not grow outside the bone layer;
- Stage 3 - cancer rapidly develops and affects regional lymph nodes;
- Stage 4 - is a large neoplasm that encompasses nearby structures and penetrates into deep lymph nodes, in some cases hematogenously metastases.
Symptoms and signs of ear cancer with a photo
Treatment of pathology in most patients is usually delayed due to late diagnosis. And all because in the early stages of the disease can be completely asymptomatic. The most successful therapy is often the one that is used in the initial stages of tumor development.
At an early stage, symptoms of ear cancer can be expressed in itching and excessive noise, as well as in increasing pain in the affected area. A node, granulation or ulcer is formed in the auricle or ear canal. It is these neoplasms that are considered the first symptoms of ear cancer.
Differences from other pathologies
A tumor located in the area of the auditory canal bleeds much more often than a tumor in the conch. It is likely the appearance of mucous, serous and purulent discharge. In the case of metastasis of ear cancer in the area of regional lymph nodes, their abnormal increase is observed. You can visually determine the pathology using a photo with signs and symptoms of ear cancer. On them you can see the features of the neoplasm in order to be able to distinguish it from other similar growths.
When a tumor grows into the internal departments and nearby structures, pain, hearing loss, facial paralysis, due to damage to the facial nerve, as well as intracranial defects develop.
Diagnostic Features
The diagnosis of "cancer of the outer ear" is made on the basis of the results of histological and cytological studies, otoscopy. To assess the degree of development of the pathological process, patients are prescribed CT, MRI and radiography.
Differential diagnosis of ear cancer is carried out with inflammatory pathologies, tuberculoma, benign tumors, weeping eczema, lupus erythematosus.
Outer Ear Cancer Treatment
Radiotherapy is recommended for patients diagnosed with stage 1 tumor. If, after a course of radiation therapy, particles of a malignant growth remain in the external ear, electroexcision is performed.
For patients with stage 2 ear cancer, doctors prescribe a comprehensive treatment - traditional surgical removal of the neoplasm or electroresection in combination with preoperative radiotherapy. If abnormal processes cover the ear canal, the auricle is completely removed.
At stage 3, radiation therapy is used in combination with extensive surgical intervention. If the patient has symptoms of cancer of the lymph nodes behind the ear, confirmed by the results of MRI and CT, the damaged areas are excised in parallel with the fiber. If multiple metastasis is observed, the patient is prescribed Crail surgery.
The success of therapy
Further prognosis depends on the location and stage of the abnormal process. The earlier ear cancer is detected, the greater the chance of a favorable outcome. A more distal location of the tumor also increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
Middle Ear Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages, the signs of pathology are very similar to the manifestations of chronic otitis media. The most common symptoms of ear cancer are purulent discharge and hearing loss. Granulation may occur in the area of the auditory canal. Photos of the symptoms of ear cancer show likely scenarios of the pathology, its most frequent manifestations and visual signs, which, unknowingly, can be confused with other problems.
In the case of sprouting of closely spaced tissues, the intensity of pain increases significantly. Patients often complain of radiating pain to the neck and temples. The development of granulations is gradually gaining momentum, they begin to bleed. Over time, the patient develops regular dizziness and hearing loss.
The symptoms of cancer of the inner ear, in addition to those described, are supplemented by signs indicating damage to intracranial structures. So, in the case of involvement of the trigeminal and facial nerve, sharp pains and paralysis of the facial muscles appear. Against the background of sprouting of the pharynx or salivary gland near the ear, violations of swallowing function and difficulty in movements of the lower jaw are observed .
If cancer encompasses the meninges, carcinomatous meningitis arises. If the carotid artery is damaged, severe bleeding develops inside. Regional lymph nodes increase significantly, with time losing mobility, form conglomerates with closely spaced tissues, it is possible - with foci of decay.
How to detect
If cancer of the middle or inner ear is suspected, the patient is referred for radiography, otoscopy, and histological biopsy. An x-ray helps to identify foci of destruction in common processes. Otoscopy can detect bleeding neoplasms.
To determine the affected area, patients are referred to a neurologist, MRI and other examinations are prescribed. Differential diagnosis is carried out with purulent otitis media, syphilis, osteomyelitis, carotid chemodictoma and tuberculosis.
Cancer treatment of the inner and middle ear
If the diagnosed tumor does not extend beyond the tympanic cavity, the patient is prescribed complex therapy in the form of subtotal resection of the temporal bone or extensive mastidectomy in combination with telegamma therapy.
In the case of lymphogenous metastasis of the neoplasm, in parallel with the elimination of the primary focus, regional nodes are excised or the operation is performed according to the Crail method.
In severe stages, palliative radiotherapy is recommended for patients. Chemotherapy with such a diagnosis is considered ineffective. In ear cancer, it is in some cases used in combination with radiotherapy and palliative conservative treatment.