Has anyone been diagnosed with cancer in or near the ear canal?
From a community member: "If you have been diagnosed with cancer of the ear canal and had surgery including removal of ear canal, please respond."
I was diagnosed with SCC in my ear canal in Dec of 2019.
Good morning. I am Samiam as per above, but cant access my account, hence my new name.
I have experience with ear canal cancer.
Lucky for me it was caught at very early stages during a surgery to remove tissue from medial canal fibrosis. (Also a rare issue)
3 weeks ago, after 2 surgeries to restore hearing to both ears, I underwent a right sided lateral temporal bone ressection, parotidectomy, modified radical neck dissection, forearm free flap with artery and vein and a thigh graft.
Face is healed but still swelling, preassure and pain in the neck and ear area.although in fairness I have not been taking anything for pain since my discharge from hospital at day 5 except for the day I had my stitches/staples out. I'm not opposed to pain meds but I have problems swallowing and the liquid upsets my stomache. I would likely sleep better if I was on the tylenol regime.
The biggest healing issue has been the arm. It is immobilized, the area still needs bandage changes and the brace itself is uncomfortable and awkward.
My pathology came back with clear margins and no spread but because this cancer can be aggressive, because of where its located and because everything has been surgically removed, a reoccurence could be devastating with limited treatment options, so I will undergo 30-33 radiation treatments as an insurance policy.
If your experiencing this, please feel free to reach out. It's a lonely cancer as it's quite rare, and I was thrilled to find someone who shared her experience with me. Her experience was quite different surgically despite her cancer having spread into the bone and being more advanced, she's also in a different province, and that may dictate treatment plans as well.
Take care and stay safe.
Sandy
