Lucrezia Ciotti Linus shared on social media that he underwent surgery for an ear tumor . The artistic director of Radio Deejay chose to personally inform the audience, showing off his visible wound and addressing the situation with humor. But what is an ear tumor, what are the symptoms that shouldn't be ignored, and what factors can contribute to its development?
Epithelioma and skin cancer: Linus's story on social media
Linus, 68, artistic director of Radio Deejay and born Pasquale Di Molfetta, explained to his followers that he underwent ear surgery for epithelioma , a fairly common form of skin cancer . In the selfie posted on Instagram, the host appears with a prominent dressing on his ear and wanted to clarify the situation immediately to avoid worrying those who will see him on television in the coming days.
“ I’m telling you this first so you don’t get shocked: for about ten days, if you watch DJCI on TV, you’ll see me like this, Van Gogh-style, ” he wrote, referring to the bandage.
In the post, Linus then explained the reason for the operation in direct words, defining epithelioma as " a very common thing but not to be underestimated ."
The host also said he had expected a much more moderate consequence: « I was hoping to get away with it with a plaster and instead …» , before concluding with « C'est la vie ».
Linus and the diagnosis of skin cancer: what is epithelioma and how to recognize it
Epithelioma is a term used to indicate tumors that originate from the skin epithelium; the most common include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma . The former, also known as basal cell carcinoma, is the most common skin cancer and generally tends to grow slowly, only rarely metastasizing to distant sites. If left untreated, however, it can invade surrounding tissues and cause significant damage.
Not every skin change necessarily indicates cancer, but some persistent changes warrant a medical checkup. Signs to watch for include a lesion that gradually increases in size , an area that tends to crust or bleed , a wound that doesn't heal, or a persistent change in the skin's appearance. In the case of basal cell carcinoma, for example, the lesion may appear as a small, pearly nodule, a patch, or a scar-like area; a crust may also appear that seems to heal, only to recur. The most commonly affected areas are those exposed to the sun, including the face, ears, neck, and scalp.
Among the main factors associated with the development of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet rays , especially when intense, prolonged, and without adequate protection. The risk can be linked to both sunlight and tanning lamps. Individual characteristics, such as light-colored skin and eyes, as well as some genetic factors, can also play a role.
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