Carcinoma of the external auditory canal: An update

Abstract

This review is a continuation of the series of 35 cases of carcinoma of the external auditory canal originally reported by the senior author and colleagues. Eighteen additional cases have been evaluated and treated since 1976. Preoperative high-resolution computed tomographic scanning has replaced polytomography, and improved surgical skull base approaches have allowed for extended resections of advanced lesions. A revised classification for local and extensive lesions is presented. The prognosis for localized tumors treated by en bloc resection remains excellent, whereas prognosis for extensive lesions might be more dependent on histologic type and grade of tumor.

Pathological lesions of the external ear : A study of 500 cases

“…Treatment preferred was radical mastoidectomy and radiotherapy. Similar line of management have already been reported by Kinney et al (1987) and Shih L et al (1990) while studying the malignancies of the external ear. Our approach, therefore, appears to be proper.…”

Intracranial Invasion from Primary Adenocarcinoma Arising in the External and Middle Ear

“…Involvement of the antrum, mastoid, petrous bone and parotid gland has been described [1]. Intracranial invasion from primary adenocarcinoma arising in the middle and external ear has been reported by Pulec [12], Hicks [13], Glasscock et al [6], Robson et al [2], and McDonald et al [4].…”

“…If the jugulodigastric nodes or parotid gland nodes are positive, radical neck dissection should be performed [6]. Reviewing their series of external auditory canal carcinomas, Shih and Crabtree [1] concluded that for favourable histologic grades an aggressive surgical eradication followed by radiotherapy could be effective also in cases with tumour beyond the temporal bone (parotid, skull base, dura). None of the present treatment modalities were effective for achieving control of high-grade malignant tumours of the temporal bone with transdural invasion or skull base extension (2-years survival rate of 14% [16]).…”

“…Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant neoplasm but basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma have also been described in this part of the body [1]. Carcinoma accounts for between 1:5,000 and 1:15,000 of all pathological conditions affecting the ear [2].…”

Cancer of the external auditory canal-diagnostic and treatment

“…According to some authors, the SCC of the auditory canal is divided into three stages [12]: Tumors that are limited to the auditory canal, spread to the middle ear and the mastoid, and fi nally infi ltrate the base of the skull or dura. Shih and Crabtree [13] are identifying a similar division.…”