Overview and Facts about Temporal Bone Cancer
Temporal bone cancer is a cancer that involves the part of the skull in and around the ear called the temporal bone. This bone holds the ear canal, middle ear, and inner ear, so cancer here can involve any of these areas. This is an extremely rare type of cancer, as only 200 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Several types of cancer can involve to the temporal bone, including
- Skin cancer: Basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer are the two most common types encountered
- Parotid tumors: Tumor growth from this saliva gland on the cheek can involve the temporal bone or structures of the ear
Symptoms and Signs of Temporal Bone Cancer
Because temporal bone cancer can come in a couple of different forms, your symptoms may vary. Symptoms also depend on the size and location of the tumor. However, some symptoms you may experience include:
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear
- Ear pain
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Facial weakness
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Skin changes around and inside the ear canal
Tests and Diagnosis of Temporal Bone Cancer
At the first sign of symptoms, you should consult an otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat, or ENT) doctor to look for cancer. The otolaryngologist will examine your ear to check for outward signs of cancer.
Then the doctor will take a biopsy, which is a small sample of tissue, and observe it under a microscope.
The doctor may also conduct imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to get a look at the inside of your head and see if any tumors are growing there.
Causes and Risk Factors of Temporal Bone Cancer
Getting too much sun exposure can a major cause of skin and/or temporal bone cancer. The UV rays in sunlight cause the cells of the ear to mutate and become cancerous.
Many times, a patient with a persistent ear infection that does not seem to be responding to antiboitics should be seen by an ENT or otolaryngologist physician to make sure to look for temporal bone or ear-related cancer.
Treatment and Care for Temporal Bone Cancer
After being diagnosed with temporal bone cancer, you will need to have the tumor removed. This may require you to have your eardrum, ear canal, and some of the small bones in your ear removed.
If this is the case, they will be replaced with a hearing aid so you don’t lose your hearing. If the cancer has spread, you may also need to have your outer ear removed.
After the tumor has been cut out, you will need radiation therapy. This therapy directs high-energy beams to kill off any remaining cancer cells.
