Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

honeypot link

Ear Tumors

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
Get the full details
Topic Resources

What are ear tumors?

Ear tumors are growths on the outside of your ear or inside your ear canal. The ear canal is the tube that connects the outside of your ear to your eardrum.

  • Ear tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous

  • Noncancerous tumors that grow in your ear canal can cause ear blockages, hearing loss, and a buildup of earwax

  • Sometimes, noticing you can’t hear as well as usual is the first sign of an ear tumor

  • Doctors may see your tumor when they look in your ear

  • Cancerous tumors include skin cancers that can happen in and around your ear

The Outer Ear

The Outer Ear

Noncancerous ear tumors

Noncancerous (benign) tumors that can grow on your ear and in your ear canal include:

Doctors will do surgery to remove a growth that blocks your ear or causes hearing loss.

Cancerous ear tumors

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz!
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP