Don't be afraid of this strange lump that grows inside the ear! Let's talk about Cholesteatoma.

Is there a foul-smelling discharge coming from your ear? Or do you have hearing loss in one ear and a constant feeling of heaviness in your ear? These are not symptoms to simply ignore. These could be signs of a non-cancerous growth that needs to be treated. In medical terms, we call this a cholesteatoma . The name may sound strange, but don't be afraid. Today, we'll talk about it in a very simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is Cholesteatoma?

Cells in our bodies can clump together to form small lumps. We call these lumps, or cysts. They can be filled with air, fluid, or other substances. Cholesteatoma is a similar thing. But it's formed from a collection of dead skin cells inside the ear .

This tumor usually starts near the eardrum, deep inside the ear. Then it gradually grows into the middle ear and inner ear. I repeat, this is not cancer. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious problems such as hearing loss and ear damage.

This condition is not very common. Although it can develop at any age, it is slightly more common in men than in women.

What are the main symptoms of this?

Cholesteatoma usually only causes symptoms in one ear. Take a look to see if you have these symptoms.

The most important thing is that if this tumor is left untreated for a long time, it can damage the organs that help the body balance inside the ear, as well as the bones of the ear. Very rarely, this infection can spread to the brain and cause serious conditions like meningitis. So do not ignore these symptoms.

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Why does something like this happen? What are the reasons?

There are several main reasons why a cholesteatoma develops.

• Frequent ear infections: This is the main cause. If you have frequent ear infections, if you have ear problems when you have a cold, or if you have had an ear injury, this risk is higher. Think about it, there is a small tube that connects our nose and ear. We call this the Eustachian tube . This tube regulates the pressure inside the ear. When this tube is blocked due to an infection, a vacuum is created inside the middle ear. This pressure pulls the eardrum inward. Then a small sac-like part forms. It is inside that sac that dead skin cells collect and this tumor forms.

• Problems with the functioning of the Eustachian tube: Some people are born with this tube not working properly. Even then, as mentioned above, a tumor can develop inside the eardrum.

• Congenital: Very rarely, some babies can develop this tumor when their ears are still developing in the womb, where some skin cells get trapped between the bones of the ear. These are usually discovered in early childhood.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you see a doctor with the symptoms you mentioned above, the first thing he or she will do is examine the inside of your ear with an otoscope, a device with a light and magnifying lens. Then, he or she will perform a hearing test to see how well you are hearing.

If a tumor is suspected, your doctor will refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT specialist) , who can run several tests to look more closely at the tumor.

• CT scan (Computerized Tomography): This is like putting together a bunch of X-ray pictures to create a detailed 3D image of the bones, blood vessels, and tissues inside the ear. This allows the doctor to see exactly how big the tumor is, whether it has damaged the bones of the ear, and whether it has spread to parts that affect hearing and balance. This is usually done before surgery.

• MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): If a CT scan suggests that the infection has spread to the brain, an MRI scan may be performed to confirm this.

How is it treated?

This cannot be cured with medication. The only treatment is surgery to completely remove the tumor. You will be anesthetized (put to sleep) for this surgery, which usually takes 2-3 hours. You will not need to stay in the hospital.

There are two main types of surgery:

1. Mastoidectomy: The mastoid bone is the bone behind your ear. The surgeon opens this bone, goes through it, and completely removes the tumor.

2. Tympanoplasty: This is a surgical procedure to repair a hole in your eardrum (tympanic membrane) caused by a tumor. This involves using a piece of cartilage or muscle taken from another part of your ear.

Your hearing may return to normal to some extent after surgery, but this does not always happen.

Cholesteatoma is a condition that can recur in a more severe form. If it is not completely removed, it may recur. Therefore, it is very important to follow-up with your doctor at regular intervals even after surgery.