A lump behind the ear can be a sign of cancer

The lump behind your ear that you often experience can be caused by a number of things. This condition may be caused by trivial things, but it can also be dangerous. Check out the full explanation below.

Causes of the lump behind the ear

In most cases, the lump on the back of the ear is harmless and easy to treat. However, this condition can signal a more serious problem. Let's examine one by one what causes the bumps to appear.

1. Infection

Some types of bacterial and viral infections can cause swelling in and around the neck or face, which can manifest as a lump on the back of the ear. One of them is a mononucleosis infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In addition, lumps can also be caused by infection with HIV / AIDS, measles and smallpox.

2. Mastoiditis

Ear disease, which is an infection that goes untreated, can spread to the mastoid bone at the back of the ear. This condition is called mastoiditis. Lumps due to mastoiditis will be accompanied by other symptoms, namely:

• Fester
• Fever
• Inflammation
• Discharge from the ear

Mastoiditis can be treated with oral antibiotics, ear drops, and routine ear cleaning by a doctor. If these treatments are unsuccessful, surgery may be needed to prevent further complications.

3. Abscess

An abscess is a pus-filled lump that develops when the immune system fights off bacteria or viruses that cause infection. If an infection occurs around the ear, an abscess can appear on the back of the ear. Abscesses are often painful and warm to the touch.

Abscesses can be treated in several ways, including drainage or draining. This minor surgery is performed by the doctor by cutting the abscess to remove the pus. The doctor may also take a sample of pus to be tested in the laboratory.

4. Otitis media

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. This infection can cause inflammation such as swelling and redness, as well as a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. This symptom can result in a lump behind the ear.

Most otitis media goes away on its own without requiring treatment within 3-5 days. However, if needed, you can take ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve high fever and pain.

5. Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is swelling of the lymph nodes that is usually caused by infection, inflammation, or cancer. Lymph nodes are found under the arms, neck, pelvis and behind the ears.

When the lump behind the ear is caused by lymphadenopathy, you may also experience symptoms such as:

• Cough
• Limp body
• Cold
• Shivering and sweating, especially at night
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Red, warm, swollen skin

Lymphadenopathy can be treated according to the cause. If caused by an infection, this condition is treated with antibiotics or antivirals. Meanwhile, if the cause is cancer, you may need chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

6. Lipoma

Lipomas are fat lumps that grow between the layers of the skin. It can grow anywhere, including behind the ear and is almost always harmless. Lipomas are not always detected from the surface of the skin, but as they grow bigger, you will likely be able to feel them with your hands.

Quoted from the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, most lipomas are harmless and can be treated by eliminating them. Some patients choose to have these lumps removed for cosmetic reasons.

7. Sebaceous cysts

Sebaceous cysts are non-cancerous lumps that arise under the skin and develop around the sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands). This is the most common type of cyst seen in the ear. Apart from behind the ear, this lump can also appear on the:

• Ear canal
• Earlobe
• Scalp

If the lump is caused by a cyst, you may also experience symptoms of pain in the infected area.

In most cases, sebaceous cysts can be ignored because they are not a dangerous condition. However, if the cyst is inflamed, the doctor can inject it with a steroid medication to reduce the swelling.

8. Cancer

Another cause of lumps behind the ear is nasopharyngeal cancer. This is a cause that you need to be aware of. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, nasopharyngeal cancer is difficult to detect early because the symptoms are similar to general conditions.

In addition to the lump behind the ear, nasopharyngeal cancer also causes symptoms, such as:

• Blood in saliva
• Blood out of the nose
• Nasal congestion or ringing in the ears
• Hearing loss
• Frequent ear infections
• Sore throat
• Headache

Treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer usually includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your condition.

When to see a doctor if there is a lump behind the ear?

Do not hesitate to consult a doctor immediately if a lump appears behind the ear. This method is safer than guessing what it is that you are going through on your own. The reason is, if you guess the condition wrong, you can increase the risk of wrong treatment. Seeing a doctor can help you get the right and effective treatment.

Check for lumps in the back of the ear, especially if accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Feels sore, reddish, supple, or a lump filled with fluid.
• The lump moves
• The lump is getting bigger
• Appeared suddenly
• Presents with other symptoms

Most likely, the lump with the symptoms mentioned above includes a tumor. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is the right step to find out whether the tumor is cancerous or benign.

If the lump is cancerous, it is a soft tissue sarcoma. Your doctor can tell you what treatment steps are next to treat your condition.