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Brain Tumors/MRI revealed a mass behind ear

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Expert: - 4/28/2009


Question
My wife recently had a head scan due to an automobile accident and afterwards the doctor called to report finding something behind her right ear located near her ear canal and asked about hearing loss.  Doctor indicated the radiologist was concerned and wanted to secure a follow up scan using a dye.  My wife is overweight but otherwise in good health, she had recently within last 2 months been given a clean bill of health from this doctor.  My question is what could this possibly be?  Should we automatically assume it to be cancer of sometype?

Answer
It is not automatically a cancer with that position. If it is close to her hearing/balance nerve (8th cranial nerve) it may be an acousticus neurinoma. In that case there would normally be some hearing & balance symptoms. This MUST be checked & evaluated. How big is it?

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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