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Benign tumors of the external ear
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Any type of tumor of the outer ear can be localized on any of its "elements": the auricle, in the external auditory canal, on the eardrum. They can be limited (solitary) and diffuse, superficial or deep, and finally, benign and malignant.
Benign tumors of the outer ear - seborrheic and dermoid cysts (on the antitragus and lobe), fibromas (true, fascicular, keploid), nevi (pigmented or vascular), condylomas (in the area of the anterior auricular notch between the supratragal tubercle and the crus of the helix), chondrofibromas, which often occur in wrestlers and boxers as a result of fibrous organization of hematomas, chondromas, papillomas, neurinomas, hemangiomas, osteomas (in the bony part of the external auditory canal).
[ Symptoms of benign tumors of the outer ear
Tumors of the auricle develop without any spontaneous subjective and functional symptoms. The exception is a painful point located on the upper edge of the helix, which is highly sensitive to the slightest touch.
Tumors of the external auditory canal, especially those that obstruct its lumen (exostoses, hemangiomas, papillomas, fibromas, etc.), or those that, reaching the eardrum, press it into the tympanic cavity, cause significant functional disorders in the form of tinnitus and hearing loss by the type of sound conduction. These tumors often ulcerate and bleed (hemangiomas), and may undergo malignancy.
Fibromas usually occur in the external auditory canal as a round, dense node, sometimes on a stalk. This tumor is a connective tissue formation that includes fibroblasts, fibrocytes, and collagen fibers. It is painless upon palpation; it causes conductive hearing loss.
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Treatment of benign tumors of the outer ear
In case of small "dense" tumors that do not cause any subjective disorders and do not interfere with the self-cleaning of the external auditory canal from earwax, observation is indicated. In all other cases, treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating the tumor (surgical, diathermocoagulation, laser, introduction of coagulating agents for angiomas).