Cleveland Clinic doctor looking into a patients ear.

Ear Tumors

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Tumors can grow anywhere on your body — even on the inside or outside of your ears.

Finding a lump on the outside of your ear, noticing hearing problems or ear pain can be signs of these tumors. When you hear the word tumor, your mind might at once turn to another word — cancer. While tumors are clusters of abnormal cells, not all are cancerous. That goes for ear tumors, too.

And when you discover something that isn’t right, you’ll want to have an expert team of healthcare providers on your side. Look no further than Cleveland Clinic. Our experienced head and neck providers will confirm a diagnosis and start the personalized treatment you deserve.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Ear Tumor Care?

Collaborative care:

When you come to Cleveland Clinic for ear tumor treatment, you’ll get a team of caring, experienced providers working together to plan treatment. We build your team around your needs and diagnosis. You may see providers from otolaryngology, oncology, audiology, radiology, reconstructive surgery and more.

Patient-centered care:

Having a tumor, even if it isn’t cancerous, can be stressful. Our team understands this. We’re here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and help you feel more confident about having treatment. You’re never alone on your journey. Meet our team.

Comprehensive care:

Whether your tumor is benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), you’ll get the most personalized treatment. A group of providers from different specialties (called the tumor board) reviews each of these cases. This group assesses your diagnosis and determines a unique treatment plan for you.

Innovation and research:

Our team regularly participates in clinical trials. These help us create and test emerging treatments like new drugs and surgery techniques. You may even have the chance to try them before they’re widely available. Ask your care team if you qualify for any open trials.

Virtual visits:

When you need a quick follow-up or check-in with your provider, ask if you can do a virtual visit. These secure, online appointments let you meet with your provider without leaving home.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Types of Ear Tumors We Treat at Cleveland Clinic

Our team treats all types of ear tumors, cancerous and noncancerous. These tumors can form on the outside of your ear and the inside of your ear canal. Other tumors can begin in your middle or inner ear. Since different tumors grow in different places, they can cause a range of problems:

Ear pain
Ear bleeding
Hearing loss
Balance problems
Facial weakness

Benign ear tumors

There are many kinds of noncancerous ear tumors, like:

Adenomas
Benign bone tumors like osteomas and exostoses
Glomus tympanicum paraganglioma
Keloids
Schwannoma

Malignant ear tumors

The most common type of malignancy (cancer) found in the ear is skin cancer. If not treated appropriately, skin cancer can lead to damage to the ear and its inner structures.

Diagnosing Ear Tumors at Cleveland Clinic

When you choose Cleveland Clinic, you can rest assured you’ll get expert, compassionate care. Our team is here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and do what it takes to diagnose the kind of ear tumor you have.

What to expect at your first visit

Understanding your story helps your provider confirm a diagnosis. So, don’t be surprised if they ask a lot of questions during your appointment, like:

When did you first notice the tumor?
What kind of symptoms has the tumor caused?
Has the tumor grown bigger since you first noticed it?
How is the tumor affecting your life?
Have you had any tests before coming here?
What other health conditions do you have?

Your provider will look closely at the tumor on the outside of your ear. If it’s inside, they’ll use a tool called an otoscope or a microscope to take a closer look. Before we start treatment, you may have other tests like:

Meet Our Ear Tumor Team

Cleveland Clinic believes in sharing knowledge through teamwork. That’s why you’ll have a care team of providers from different specialties planning and managing your treatment. And it’s all based on your diagnosis and needs. Your ear tumor team may include:

Providers Who Treat Ear Tumors

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

Treating Ear Tumors at Cleveland Clinic

Your treatment plan will depend on things like your age and overall health — and if the tumor is cancerous.

Treating noncancerous ear tumors

Most ear tumors aren’t cancerous. Depending on the kind of benign tumor you have, your provider may recommend:

Watchful waiting to see if the tumor grows larger or causes symptoms
Radiosurgery (gamma knife surgery) that uses radiation to remove the tumor
Corticosteroid injections and or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor

Treating cancerous ear tumors

Cancerous ear tumors often require surgery to remove them. You may also need radiation therapy, radiosurgery or chemotherapy to help destroy the cancer cells.

Taking the Next Step

Sometimes, you won’t need treatment for an ear tumor. But if you do, you’ll want the best care from compassionate, experienced providers. You’ll find this at Cleveland Clinic. Our ear tumor team will guide you through every step. From confirming a diagnosis to helping you move through treatment and recovery, we’re here for you. We want you to feel comfortable and confident about moving forward with the care you need and deserve