Tumor removed 12 years ago from L ear, now symptoms again....

[faiths_mommy04]

In 1995 I had a tumor removed from my left ear. It was a cholostiotoma (sorry I know this is not spelled correctly), and a very rare case. They weren't able to get all of the tumor, so there has always been a chance that it could come back. Before the tumor was discovered, I experienced a "rushing" sound in my left ear, like hearing your heart beat. Now, 12 years later, I am experiencing this same symptom again. It is getting increasingly worse, very loud. I have seen my doctor to rule out any type of infection or fluid build up. There is nothing to be seen. I am scheduled for an MRI, but I am really nervous that this tumor might have grown back. I am wondering if this sounds possible after 12 years, and the tumor is not visible without an MRI, behind some bone or something. I just need some reassurance, as I am really worried. Thank you for your time.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

how's the MRI go?

[faiths_mommy04]

Thank you, I will, the MRI is tomorrow morning.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

It would be hard to tell what you have without the MRI, good luck, and let us know how the MRI turns out.

[faiths_mommy04]

I did have hearing loss from the last surgery, as well as facial nerve damage when the doctor performing the surgery severed the facial nerve on that side. I am just worried that my symptom is caused by the tumor coming back. I don't want to have to go through the surgery again, as the result was fairly tragic.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

If you are not satisfied with the MRI results being a legitimate form of diagnosis, then have explorative surgery. The deal is, these types of tumors are not malignant. But they can be dangerousif allowed to go without intervention. As you probably already know, some hearing loss may occur upon removal, maybe even cause a severe conductive loss....  but that is not too bad when compared to the alternative.  

But even if there is a conductive loss after the surgery, a hearing aid would be useful.