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Benign ear cyst or tumor

Alternative Names:

Osteomas; Exostoses; Tumor - ear; Cysts - ear; Ear cysts; Ear tumors

Treatment:

If the cyst or tumor is not painful and does not interfere with hearing, treatment is not necessary.

If a cyst becomes painful, it may be infected. Treatment may include antibiotics or removal of the cyst.

Benign bony tumors may progressively increase in size. If a benign tumor is painful or interferes with hearing, surgical removal of the tumor may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

Benign ear cysts and tumors are usually slow-growing and may disappear on their own.

Complications:

The cysts could become infected
Wax in the ear could become impacted
Hearing loss could occur if the tumor is large

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with a health care provider if you have symptoms of a benign ear cyst or tumor and there is discomfort, pain, or hearing loss.

Ear anatomy

Review Date: 10/20/2006
Reviewed By: Kevin Fung, M.D., FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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