Benign ear cysts are noncancerous lumps or growths in the ear.
Alternative NamesOsteomas; Exostoses; Tumor - ear; Cysts - ear; Ear cysts; Ear tumors
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsSebaceous cystsare the most common type of cysts seen in the ear. They are bulging, sac-like collections of dead skin cells and oils produced by oil glands in the skin.
They commonly occur:
The exact cause is unknown, but cysts may occur when oils are produced in a skin gland faster than they can be released from the gland.
Benign bony tumors of the ear canal (exostoses and osteomas) may be caused by excess growth of bone. Repeated exposure to cold water may increase the risk of benign tumors of the ear canal.
SymptomsThe symptoms of cysts include:
The symptoms of benign tumors include:
Note: There may be no symptoms.
Signs and testsBenign cysts and tumors are usually discovered during a routine ear examination, which can include hearing tests (audiometry) and middle ear testing (tympanometry). When looking into the ear, the doctor may see cysts or benign tumors in the ear canal.
Sometimes a CT scan is needed.
This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:
TreatmentIf 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.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:
Benign ear cysts are noncancerous lumps or growths in the ear.
Alternative NamesOsteomas; Exostoses; Tumor - ear; Cysts - ear; Ear cysts; Ear tumors
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsSebaceous cystsare the most common type of cysts seen in the ear. They are bulging, sac-like collections of dead skin cells and oils produced by oil glands in the skin.
They commonly occur:
The exact cause is unknown, but cysts may occur when oils are produced in a skin gland faster than they can be released from the gland.
Benign bony tumors of the ear canal (exostoses and osteomas) may be caused by excess growth of bone. Repeated exposure to cold water may increase the risk of benign tumors of the ear canal.
SymptomsThe symptoms of cysts include:
The symptoms of benign tumors include:
Note: There may be no symptoms.
Signs and testsBenign cysts and tumors are usually discovered during a routine ear examination, which can include hearing tests (audiometry) and middle ear testing (tympanometry). When looking into the ear, the doctor may see cysts or benign tumors in the ear canal.
Sometimes a CT scan is needed.
This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:
TreatmentIf 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, interferes with hearing, or leads to frequent ear infections, surgery to remove the tumor may be necessary.
Expectations (prognosis)Benign ear cysts and tumors are usually slow-growing and may disappear on their own.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:
O'Handley JG, Tobin E, Tagge B. Otorhinolaryngology. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 25.
Nicolai P, Castelnuovo P. Benign tumors of the sinonasal tract. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 49.
Warren FM III, Shelton C, Wiggins RH III. Neuroradiology of the temporal bone and skull base. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 135.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/03/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A lump behind the ear may possibly be a swollen lymph node. It can also be a benign tumor, a cyst, or acne.
A benign cyst usually on the skin or ovaries.
There is no such thing as a demold tumor. Perhaps what was meant is a desmoid tumor, which is, usually just a benign cyst.
In medical "Lipoma" is a benign tumor of adipose tissue (cell that contain fat).
Hi, You may use 706.2 - Sebaceous Cyst skin for cyst of neck. Neha Bhatnagar, CPC, CPC-H
benign tumor
A lipoid cyst is a benign tumor, and we really don't know why they occur. It is generally accepted to think of them as adipose tissue that has gone a bit out of control.
A benign tumor does not spread. If a tumor spreads, it is malignant.
One kind of adrenal tumor that is often benign is a pheochromocytoma.
Luckily, the tumor was benign.
Its a malignant tumor.
A cyst is a hollow ball of cells with fluid inside. It's usually not a problem. A tumor is a growth of cells; it may be benign (it won't grow any more), or malignant ... it doesn't know how to stop. An excisional biopsy will let you know which.