There is no easiest way to determine middle ear cancer clinically. Clinical diagnosis of middle ear cancer is mainly based on the combination of medical history, symptoms and examination.
1. Medical history: For those who have a history of chronic suppurative otitis media, long-term exposure to ionizing radiation, papilloma of middle ear or cancer of external auditory canal, they should be alert to the possibility of middle ear cancer.
2. Symptoms: Early stage of middle ear cancer patients may have symptoms such as bleeding inside the ear, distending pain or tingling in the ear, hearing loss, dizziness and so on. With the progress of disease, middle ear cancer patients may also easily develop peripheral facial paralysis on the same side, difficulty in opening mouth and other uncomfortable symptoms. When middle ear cancer involves cerebral nerve, it may manifest as diplopia, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness and so on.
3. Examination: Patients with middle ear cancer can find lesions in middle ear cavity or mastoid area through CT examination; MRI can show that the water content of middle ear cancer tissues is similar to that of brain tissues, and the tumor can invade intracranial area and parotid gland in late stage. Generally speaking, middle ear cancer can be diagnosed clearly through pathological examination.
It is recommended that those who suffer from discomfort in the ear should consult a doctor in time for examination, so that they can be clearly diagnosed whether they have middle ear cancer after comprehensive evaluation and examination by a doctor.