Ear Tumours
These notes are provided to help you understand the diagnosis or possible diagnosis of cancer in your pet. For general information on cancer in pets ask for our handout “What is Cancer”. If not already performed your veterinarian may suggest certain tests to help confirm or eliminate the diagnosis, and to help assess treatment options and likely outcomes. Because individual situations and responses vary, and because cancers often behave unpredictably, science can only give us a guide. However information and understanding of tumours in animals is improving all the time.
We understand that this can be a very worrying time and we apologise for the need to use some technical language. If you do not understand anything, please do not hesitate to ask.
What is this tumour?
These tumours are polyp-like growths with a narrow base or a stalk. Some are nodular overgrowths secondary to inflammation but others are benign or malignant cancers of the glands found in this area. Most are from the specialised sweat (ceruminous) glands of the ear. These glands produce watery secretion (cerumen) that keeps the ear moist. A few tumours arise from the sebaceous glands that produce an oily secretion and a few originate from the surface epithelium (squamous cell carcinomas). Malignant tumours may spread to other parts of the body.
What do we know about the cause?
Inflammation of the external ear canals leads to cysts and overgrowth of the glands. The resulting polyps continue to cause mechanical problems and further inflammation. There is a tendency for the multistep process of tumour progression to occur although some inflammatory polyps and benign cancers never progress past the first stages and remain benign. Others progress rapidly.
Why has my animal developed this cancer?
Some breeds of dog have ear canals that are partially enclosed (by drooping ears) and continually moist with a tendency to bacterial and yeast infections. Others have infection with mites. All these factors increase inflammation with swellings and possible transformation to cancerous growths. Cats have similar infections that cause inflammation and swelling.
"Some breeds of dog have ear canals that are partially enclosed (by drooping ears) and continually moist with a tendency to bacterial and yeast infections."
Are these common tumours?
These are relatively common tumours in dogs and cats. The Cocker Spaniel has an increased risk of developing the tumours.
How will this tumour affect my pet?
The most obvious effect is pain and itching of the ears. Lumps or polyps can be seen in most cases but sometimes there is simply ulceration and bleeding. They are invariably infected.
Malignant cancers may spread through the body by invading the lymph transport system. Further lumps may appear below the affected ear.
How is this cancer diagnosed?
Clinically, it is not possible to distinguish with certainty between those lumps that are still non-cancerous and those which are malignant and will spread. Definitive diagnosis relies upon microscopic examination of tissue. Cytology, the microscopic examination of cell samples, is misleading. Full diagnosis, prediction of behaviour (prognosis) and a microscopic assessment of whether the tumour has been fully removed rely on microscopic examination of tissue (histopathology). This is done at a specialised laboratory by a veterinary pathologist. The piece of tissue may be a small part of the mass (biopsy) or the whole lump. Only examination of the whole lump will indicate whether the cancer has been fully removed but full removal is often difficult.
What treatment is available?
The commonest treatment is surgical removal of the lump(s). Laser surgery is very effective if it is available. Sometimes extensive surgery is required and it is necessary to open up (ablate) the whole ear canal.
Can these disappear without treatment?
The cysts and polyps due to inflammation sometimes decrease in size if the inflammation is reduced. However, cancer rarely disappears without treatment. As development is a multi-step process, it may stop at some stages. The body’s own immune system can kill cancer cells but it is rarely 100% effective. Rarely, loss of blood supply to a cancer will make it die but dead tissue in this site will need surgical removal.
How can I nurse my pet?
Preventing your pet from rubbing or scratching its ears will reduce itching, inflammation, ulceration, infection and bleeding.
After surgery, the operation site needs to be kept clean and your pet should not be allowed to interfere with the site. Any loss of sutures or significant swelling or bleeding should be reported to your veterinarian. Specific treatment for this area may include the use of topical medication and special collars to prevent scratching. If you require additional advice on post-surgical care, please ask.
How will I know if the cancer is permanently cured?
“Cure” has to be a guarded term in dealing with any cancer.
Histopathology will give your veterinarian the diagnosis that helps to indicate how it is likely to behave. The veterinary pathologist usually adds a prognosis that describes the probability of local recurrence or metastasis (distant spread).
In most cases, surgery results in a complete cure. Sadly, there are some cases where the diagnosis and prognosis indicate that surgical removal will only give remission and the cancer will recur or spread.
Are there any risks to my family or other pets?
No, these are not contagious problems and are not transmitted from pet to pet or from pets to people.
Adapted by Philip H Brain, BVSc, CMAVA, FACVSc (small animal medicine), FAVA © Copyright 2015 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.