This assive ear keloid had developed following multiple surgeries and radiation therapy.
Durable response was achieved with cryotherapy. Previous surgeries had made this keloid so large and heavy that its weight had caused folding of the ear downward. Outcome of cryotherapy is shown here. Massive ear keloid - significant improvement with cryotherapy. Massive ear keloid - significant improvement with cryotherapy, still undergoing treament. Recurrent massive ear keloid previously treated with multiple surgeries and radiation therapy.
Significant improvement with cryotherapy, uncovering the tissue loss from prior surgeries. Massive ear keloid - significant improvement with cryotherapy.

Massive Keloids:

This young patient started with a small keloid under his jaw which was removed surgically. He underwent several more surgeries, and radiation to his neck, after his last keloid removal surgery. Both patient and surgeon gave up at this point.

Although keloids are seen among people of every country and every race, massive keloids seem to be unique to Africans and African Americans, and those with dark skin color who have previously undergone surgery, often more than once. Massive keloids are totally devastating and have a major impact in the lifestyle of the person. They are seen in patients with most severe form of keloid disorder – those who harbor the most severe form of keloid disorder.

Treating maassive keloids is very challenging and requires a muti-disciplinary and long-term plan of action.

 

This video demonstrates a young gentleman with massive bilateral earlobe keloids that had formed totally spontaneously and without piercing of the ears. This individual had several rounds of surgery to remove his ear keloids followed by radiation therapy, and each time the keloids re-grew and become larger. As seen in the video, the growth had extended inside the left ear canal, causing loss of hearing. Treating physicians at a leading sub-specialty Ear and Nose hospital in New York had simply given up on this gentleman.

With patience and perseverance, using cryotherapy as the main mode of treatment, we were able to bring these huge keloids under control. We were also able to open the left ear canal and restore the gentleman’s hearing.

Unfortunately, in situations like this, and in patient with extensive disease, neither surgery nor radiation therapy can resolve the problem at hand. We need innovative treatments, and some form of systemic treatment that would control the disease, yet none is available at this time.