Quick Facts
Ear Tumors
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.
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Ear tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous
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Noncancerous tumors that grow in your ear canal can cause ear blockages, hearing loss, and a buildup of earwax
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Sometimes, noticing you can’t hear as well as usual is the first sign of an ear tumor
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Doctors may see your tumor when they look in your ear
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Cancerous tumors include skin cancers that can happen in and around your ear
Noncancerous ear tumors
Noncancerous (benign) tumors that can grow on your ear and in your ear canal include:
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Cysts (small sacs filled with fluid)
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Bone tumors
Doctors will do surgery to remove a growth that blocks your ear or causes hearing loss.
