A cancer patient has had her ear rebuilt using her own tissue that grew under her forearm, U.S. doctors say.

Reconstructive surgeons at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., said they successfully reconstructed an ear and part of the skull of a 42-year-old woman.

Doctors said stretchable facial and neck skin normally used for the outside skin covering was also not available for the ear reconstruction. (Facebook)

Maryland resident Sherrie Walter had aggressive skin cancer that spread to part of her skull, salivary gland and inner left ear canal, which had to be surgically removed.

"It's my skin, my bone, and the most realistic surgical replacement to what my ear was before my cancer," Walter said in a hospital release.

Between January 2011 and September 2012, Walter had a series of operations to remove pieces of rib cartilage for her new ear.

The skinless ear was implanted under her forearm to be nourished and grow before it was attached to her skull and shaped.

"It's just a matter of time as the swelling goes down and it heals, I believe she will have a normal looking ear," plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Patrick Byrne told CBS News.