Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal

Survival Outcomes of Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis, and optimal treatment for advanced cases is uncertain. Our systematic literature review aimed to assess 5-year survival outcomes for advanced TBSCC across different treatment modalities.

DATA SOURCES

EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for articles published between January 1989 and June 2023.

RESULTS

The review yielded 1229 citations of which 31 provided 5-year survival data for TBSCC. The final analysis included 1289 patients. T classification data was available for 1269 patients and overall stage for 1033 patients. Data for 5-year overall survival (OS) was 59.6%. Five-year OS was 81.9% for T1/2 and 47.5% for T3/4 (P < .0001). OS for T1/T2 cancers did not significantly differ between surgery and radiation (100% vs 81.3%, P  = .103). For advanced-stage disease (T3/T4), there was no statistical difference in OS when comparing surgery with postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (OS 50.0%) versus surgery with postoperative radiotherapy (XRT) (OS 53.3%) versus definitive CRT (OS 58.1%, P  = .767-1.000). There was not enough data to assess the role of neoadjuvant CRT.

CONCLUSION

Most patients will present with advanced-stage disease, and nodal metastasis is seen in nearly 22% of patients. This study confirms the prognostic correlation of the current T classification system. Our results suggest that OS did not differ significantly between surgery and XRT for early stage disease, and combined treatment modalities yield similar 5-year OS for advanced cancers.

Comparison Between the Superior Pedicle Retro Auricular Flap and the Masson's Revolving Door Flap for Coverage of Conchal Defects

Post operative defect of the external ear result mainly from the resection of skin cancers of this region, hence the need for an adequate plasty to avoid any stenosis or deformation, this article compares 2 retroauricular flap covering techniques through 2 cases of patients with conchal basal cell carcinoma the first one was a 65 years old male patient who had for 2 years a basal cell carcinoma of the postero-superior part of the concha of the right ear, a total removal of the tumor was made with a successful covering of the substance loss by a retroauricular flap with superior pedicle. The second patient was a 66 years old female who has for 3 years a basal cell carcinoma of the inferior part of the concha of the right ear, a successful removal of the tumor was and the covering of the substance loss by a Masson's retroauricular revolving door flap. We discuss the different operating times as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, to finally conclude that the retro auricular flap is an excellent technique to cover the postoperative loss of substance of the superior part whereas the Masson's revolving door flap is more adapted for the posterior lesions of the concha.

Carcinomas of the external auditory canal: Management and results: A multicenter REFCOR propensity score matching study

OBJECTIVES

To analyse prognostic factors and survival outcomes of malignant tumors of the external auditory canal, to investigate the role of regional surgery, and adjuvant radiotherapy in early stages and to investigate the role of surgery in operable T4 stage.

SETTING

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients prospectively included in the national database of the French Expertize Network for Rare ENT Cancers (REFCOR) from January 2000 to December 2016.

PARTICIPANTS

103 patients from 19 reference centers were included. A propensity score matching analysis was applied to enable comparisons between treatments.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Event-free survival, overall survival and factors of poor prognosis of the cohort were described. The interest of local and regional surgery and postoperative radiotherapy were evaluated.

RESULTS

The factors of poor prognosis on event-free survival were immunosuppression (p = 0.002), Karnofsky status less than 90% (p = 0.02), body mass index less than 19 Kg / m2 (p = 0.0009), peripheric facial palsy (p = 0.0016), and positive margin (p = 0.0006). In early stages, locoregional surgery was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.003, HR = 0.21) versus local surgery alone, while postoperative radiotherapy was not associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91) or overall (p = 0.86, HR = 0.91). In locally advanced stages, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy was associated with an increase in event-free survival (p = 0.03, HR = 0.39) and overall (p = 0.02, HR = 0.34) versus chemoradiotherapy alone.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Regional surgery is recommended for early stages of cancers of the external auditory canal. In operable cases, locoregional surgery followed by radiotherapy is recommended.

A Case of HPV+ Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Perigeniculate Area and Middle Fossa

Herein we present an unusual case of a primary HPV+ perigeniculate, extra-axial middle fossa skull base tumor and our management thereof. Laryngoscope, 133:3158-3160, 2023.

A Novel External Auditory Canal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line Sensitive to CDK4/6 Inhibition

OBJECTIVE

To characterize cell line CAE606 derived from a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) and to show its usefulness as a model for testing candidate therapeutic agents.

STUDY DESIGN

Preclinical translational research.

SETTING

Biomedical research institute.

METHODS

The cell line was initiated from a moderately differentiated T2N0M0 EAC SCC. We studied its histologic and genetic features as well as growth and invasion parameters. Sensitivity to cell CDK4/6 cell cycle inhibitor palbociclib was analyzed.

RESULTS

CAE606 cells expressed heavy molecular weight cytokeratin, p63, and vimentin. The population doubling time was 25.8 hours, and the cells showed fast collective cell migration in a wound-healing assay. Short tandem repeat analysis confirmed it to be derived from the primary tumor of the patient. Next-generation sequencing revealed alterations in cell cycle regulation genes, including inactivating mutations in CDKN2A and TP53 and high-level amplification of CCND1 and EGFR. CAE606 showed a strong decrease of phospo-Rb expression upon exposure to the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, causing significant growth inhibition with an IC₅₀ of 0.46 µM.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of a stable EAC SCC cell line. Its genetic features make it a useful tool for preclinical testing of new therapeutic agents for EAC SCC, particularly those targeting cell cycle regulation in combination with radio- and chemotherapy or other specific signaling pathway inhibitors.

Long-term analysis of prognostic risk factors impacting surgical outcomes in patients with external auditory canal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Malignant neoplasms of the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare. No consensus on management has emerged.

OBJECTIVE

To determine possible risk factors influencing tumorgenesis and prognosis of EAC carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

108 patients (87 men/21 women) with an average age of 74 ± 13.8 years were recruited from 2005 to 2019 at Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Heidelberg. The follow-up interval was 43.62 ± 55.39 months. Partial and (sub)total ablative otis, supplementary surgery (petrosectomy, parotidectomy, neck dissection, mastoidectomy) and adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy belonged to treatment options. TNM status was determined at time of diagnosis using the AJCC staging system.

RESULTS

63.9% of patients underwent a total ablative otis. Tumor recurrence was seen in 24.1%. The 1-year survival rate was 87%, the 5-year survival rate was 52%, the mean overall survival (OS) was 3.82 ± 4.6 years. Male EAC carcinoma patients had a better OS (p < 0.001), PFS (p < 0.001) and DSS (p = 0.02) than females. T1 patients had a better OS (p = 0.01), PFS (p = 0.01) and DSS (p < 0.001) than T4 patients. Lymph node but not distant metastasis, tumor grading, perineural, venous and lymphatic invasion, histology, age and tumor localization influenced the OS in EAC carcinoma patients (p = 0.04). The more radical the ablative otis, the worse the OS (p = 0.002), PFS (p = 0.02) and DSS (p < 0.001). Radio(chemo)therapy did not improve the OS.

CONCLUSIONS

EAC carcinoma are difficult to treat and benefit from early diagnosis so that a radical combined treatment approach does not need to be used.

Temporal Bone Resection for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lateral Skull Base: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is rare and often confers a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to synthesize survival and recurrence outcomes data reported in the literature for patients who underwent temporal bone resection (TBR) for curative management of TBSCC. We considered TBSCC listed as originating from multiple subsites, including the external ear, parotid, and external auditory canal (EAC), or nonspecifically from the temporal bone.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and manual search of bibliographies.

REVIEW METHOD

A systematic literature review conducted in December 2020 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

Survival data were collected from 51 retrospective studies, resulting in a pooled cohort of 501 patients with TBSCC. Compared to patients undergoing lateral TBR (LTBR), patients undergoing subtotal (SBTR) or total (TTBR) TBR exhibited significantly higher rates of stage IV disease (P < .001), positive surgical margins (P < .001), facial nerve involvement (P < .001), and recurrent disease (P < .001). A meta-analysis of 15 studies revealed a statistically significant 97% increase in mortality in patients who underwent STBR or TTBR. On multivariate analysis, recurrent disease was independently associated with worse overall survival (P < .001). On univariate analysis, facial nerve involvement was also associated with decreased overall survival (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Recurrent disease was associated with risk of death in patients undergoing TBR. Larger prospective multi-institutional studies are needed to ascertain prognostic factors for a wider array of postoperative outcomes, including histology-specific survival and recurrence outcomes.

Pattern of nodal metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma involving the temporal bone

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the pattern of lymph-node spread of SCCs involving the temporal bone.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all cutaneous SCCs involving the temporal bone over a 20-year time-period. Forty-one patients were eligible.

Results

Mean age was 72.8 years. The diagnosis was cutaneous SCC in all cases.All patients underwent a temporal bone resection, 70.7% had a neck-dissection and 78.0% a parotidectomy.Level 2 was the most common area of neck metastasis, and occurred in 12.2%. The parotid had disease in 34.1%. 51.2% of patients underwent free-flap reconstruction.Mean overall survival of the cohort was 4.2 years.

Conclusions

Overall, the rate of cervical nodal metastasis was 22.0% and 13.5% in the occult setting. The parotid was involved in 34.1% and 10.0% in the occult setting. Results from the present study support consideration for performing a parotidectomy at the time of temporal bone resection, while a neck dissection can be performed for adequate staging of the nodal basin.

Level of Evidence

3.

Metastatic Ceruminous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lumbar Spine Causing Neurological Compromise: A Case Report

Background

Ceruminous glands are modified apocrine glands of the external auditory canal (EAC). Malignant tumours within the ceruminous glands are extremely rare, and the most common histological type is adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADCC), which has high recurrence and metastasis risks. Although a few cases of metastatic ADCC from other head and neck glands have been reported, metastatic ADCC originating from the ceruminous gland are extremely rare.

Case presentation

We present an unusual case of spinal metastases of ADCC from ceruminous glands. A 61-year-old woman complaining of low back pain and both lower limbs pain was referred to our department. The primary ceruminous tumour was resected 26 years ago and recurred 6 years later, which was treated by radiotherapy. Three years ago, she presented with low back pain and was diagnosed as multiple lungs and bone metastases. The patient underwent tumour excision, decompression and fusion. The biopsy revealed metastatic ADCC. The symptoms were alleviated after surgery.

Conclusions

ADCC of EAC is a pernicious malignant tumour that is characterized by slow-growing patterns and a high predisposition to recurrence and metastasis. Differential diagnoses of ADCC and benign tumours in the EAC are challenging, particularly at early stages. We report a rare case of ceruminous ADCC with a prolonged clinical history as well as spinal metastasis and highlight the significance of regular follow-ups for patients undergoing tumour excision in the EAC.

A rapid and durable response to larotrectinib in a patient with NTRK fusion-positive secretory carcinoma originating from the external auditory canal

For decades, no clear consensus existed on the standard treatment option for malignant tumors of the external auditory canal, an extremely rare disease. Here we report the case of a 55-year-old female patient with secretory carcinoma that originated from the left external auditory canal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline showed that the tumor had extended to the medulla oblongata despite surgical and radiation treatments for more than 20 years from the initial diagnosis. Based on the results of a next-generation sequencing test of a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimen indicating that the tumor harbored ETV6–NTRK3 fusion, the patient was enrolled in a global basket study of larotrectinib, an oral selective tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor. Three weeks after the start of larotrectinib treatment, MRI showed only small remnants of the tumor in the medulla oblongata and the patient’s headache before the treatment had disappeared. Subsequent MRI after 12 weeks of treatment confirmed the complete disappearance of the tumor. The patient repeated grade 2 flu-like symptoms related to treatment, but did not experience any other grade 2 or worse treatment-related adverse events. TRK inhibitors, such as larotrectinib, exert potent antitumor activity against neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion-positive tumors in a tumor-agnostic manner. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on NTRK fusion-positive secretory carcinoma of the external auditory canal, and this report provides a valuable insight into the management of the extremely rare but now treatable malignancy.

Surgical Strategy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal: Management of Locally Advanced Cases with Skull Base Involvement

Objective  Surgical indications for advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) are highly dependent on the skull base surgery team. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients with SCC of the EAC and to clarify the surgical indication of far advanced cases using the T4 subclassification. Methods  Patients with SCC of the EAC who underwent curative treatment from 2002 to 2021 at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and surgical results, including operative data, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS), were analyzed. To clarify the surgical indication for advanced-stage tumors, we proposed the T4 subclassification. Results  In the 46 patients included in the study, 8 patients had T1 tumors, 10 had T2 tumor, 5 had T3 tumors, and 23 had T4 tumors. The 5-year DSS with T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors were 100, 85.7, 100, and 61.7%, respectively. No prognostic impacts for margin status were found between the 5-year OS and DSS ( p  = 0.23 and 0.13, respectively). Patients with far-advanced-stage (T4b) tumors were significantly associated with shorter DSS than those with early-stage (T1/T2) and advanced-stage (T3/T4a) tumors ( p  = 0.007 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion  The present study focused on patients with SCC of the EAC at a university hospital over a period of 20 years, especially with skull base involvement, and a T4 subclassification was proposed. Complete tumor resection in an en bloc fashion could help achieve a good survival rate even in patients with locally advanced tumors.

Lateral temporal bone resection for cutaneous carcinomas of the external auditory canal and peri-auricular region

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the outcomes for patients after lateral temporal bone resection surgery for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, and to ascertain predictors of survival and treatment failure.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records for all patients who underwent lateral temporal bone resection for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma between 2007 and 2019 in Western Australia.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients underwent lateral temporal bone resection surgery. Median follow-up duration was 22 months. Twenty-five patients had squamous cell carcinoma and 12 had basal cell carcinoma. The overall survival rate at two years for patients with squamous cell carcinoma was 68.5 per cent. Pre-operative facial nerve involvement (determined via clinical or radiological evidence) was identified as a predictor of mortality (hazard ratio = 3.411, p = 0.006), with all patients dying before two years post-operatively. Locoregional tumour control was achieved in 81 per cent of cases (n = 30).

CONCLUSION

Lateral temporal bone resection offers acceptable local control rates and survival outcomes. Caution should be used in offering this surgery to patients with clinical or radiological evidence of facial nerve involvement because of the relatively poorer survival outcomes in this subgroup.

The importance of flaps in reconstruction of locoregionally advanced lateral skull-base cancer defects: a tertiary otorhinolaryngology referral centre experience

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to identify the value of extensive resection and reconstruction with flaps in the treatment of locoregionally advanced lateral skull-base cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The retrospective case review of patients with lateral skull-base cancer treated surgically with curative intent between 2011 and 2019 at a tertiary otorhinolaryngology referral centre was made.

RESULTS

Twelve patients with locoregionally advanced cancer were analysed. Lateral temporal bone resection was performed in nine (75.0%), partial parotidectomy in six (50.0%), total parotidectomy in one (8.3%), ipsilateral selective neck dissection in eight (66.7%) and ipsilateral modified radical neck dissection in one patient (8.3%). The defect was reconstructed with anterolateral thigh free flap, radial forearm free flap or pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in two patients (17.0%) each. Mean overall survival was 3.1 years (SD = 2.5) and cancer-free survival rate 100%. At the data collection cut-off, 83% of analysed patients and 100% of patients with flap reconstruction were alive.

CONCLUSIONS

Favourable local control in lateral skull-base cancer, which mainly involves temporal bone is achieved with an extensive locoregional resection followed by free or regional flap reconstruction. Universal cancer registry should be considered in centres treating this rare disease to alleviate analysis and multicentric research.

Sites of invasion of cancer of the external auditory canal predicting oncologic outcomes

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to reveal the influence of the invasion site of external auditory canal (EAC) cancer by analyzing the outcome of patients with advanced tumor.

METHODS

A total of 111 patients with T4 EAC cancer were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 79 underwent chemoradiotherapy and 32 underwent surgery under curative intent. Univariate and multivariate analyses and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to focus on the tumor invasion sites and overall survival of the patients.

RESULTS

The 3-year overall survival rate of all patients was 55.0%. In multivariate analysis, the only significant invasion site for overall survival was the facial nerve, with the dura mater being the next most influential site. When Kaplan-Meier survival curve was calculated, facial nerve and dura mater were the significant factors resulting in poor patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The facial nerve and dura mater are crucial sites of EAC cancer for patient outcomes.

Survival outcomes of lateral skull base tumors following temporal bone resection

BACKGROUND

Lateral skull base tumors often necessitate temporal bone resection (TBR), although clinical outcomes can be unfavorable. Factors influencing survival and recurrence after TBR for cutaneous and salivary malignancies were evaluated.

METHODS

Twenty-six TBR subjects were included. Survival and recurrence outcomes were estimated at 1, 2, and 5 years postresection. Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

RESULTS

Two years postresection, the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 61%, 74%, and 49%, respectively, and 51%, 63%, and 45% at 5 years. On univariate analysis, preoperative facial nerve dysfunction and intraoperative nerve sacrifice worsened OS, DSS, and RFS. Prior surgery and adjuvant radiation independently predicted reduced OS, DSS, and RFS on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality is highest in the first 2 years following resection. Preoperative facial nerve dysfunction, facial nerve sacrifice, and prior radiation are negative predictors of survival and recurrence.

A systematic review of the primary squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: survival outcome based on T-staging and proposal of a new classification

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide a systematic review on survival outcome based on Pittsburgh T-staging for patients with primary external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHOD

This study was a systematic review in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines performed until January 2018; pertinent studies were screened. Quality of evidence was assessed using the grading of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation working group system.

RESULTS

Eight articles were chosen that reported on 437 patients with external auditory carcinoma. The 5-year overall survival rate was 53.0 per cent. The pooled proportion of survivors at 5 years for T1 tumours was 88.4 per cent and for T2 tumours was 88.6 per cent. For the combined population of T1 and T2 cancer patients, it was 84.5 per cent. For T3 and T4 tumours, it was 53.3 per cent and 26.8 per cent, respectively, whereas for T3 and T4 tumours combined, it was 40.4 per cent. Individual analysis of 61 patients with presence of cervical nodes showed a poor survival rate.

CONCLUSION

From this review, there was not any significant difference found in the survival outcome between T1 and T2 tumours. A practical classification incorporating nodal status that accurately stratifies patients was proposed.

External auditory canal reconstruction with inferior pedicled square screw flap from the preauricular area after resection of external auditory canal cancer

BACKGROUND

The postoperative reconstruction of ear canal cancer with a local flap such as the snail flap technique has been reported for cases with few tissue defects. The snail flap technique requires a large skin incision and is at risk of facial neuropathy. We have devised a new flap that addresses these problems.

METHODS

An 80-year-old woman underwent total right ear canal resection for cancer of the right ear canal, and the defect of the ear canal was reconstructed using a local flap. The local flap was used by making a rectangular incision in front of the auricle and rolling it into a cylindrical shape. We named this flap a square screw flap.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This method is considered to be useful for reconstruction of the ear canal with a small defect.

Incipient Warthin tumor of intraparotid lymph node in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: An incidental finding

The occurrence of intranodal salivary gland neoplasm is uncommon; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is another rare occurrence. Clinically, SCC of EAC presents with symptoms similar to other benign otologic conditions. A case of Stage I SCC in EAC region is presented here in a 60-year-old male patient with incidental intranodal Warthin tumor along with the histological differential diagnosis. The patient is being followed up. There is no evidence of recurrence 1 year and 11 months after surgery.

Squamous cell cancer of the temporal bone: a review of the literature

Background and aims

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the temporal bone is a rare malignancy accounting for only 0.2% of head and neck cancers. There is currently no clear consensus on staging or common approach to management. It is the aim of this work to provide the readers with a review of the current literature on this malignancy.

Methods

A literature review was performed identifying 16 case series with patient numbers ranging from 12 to 124. A total of 708 patients were included in this review, 67% presented with advanced disease. 578 cases were managed operatively with lateral temporal bone resection, some underwent local resection alone in early stage disease. In all studies radiation therapy was used as an adjunct to some degree.

Results

More than half of studies reported 100% either 2-, 3- or 5-year survival for T1 and T2 disease with no nodal involvement. Survival correlated with disease stage and in five studies SCC differentiation was found to be a significant prognostic factor. Post-operative radiotherapy was found to improve survival in only one study.

Conclusions

Temporal bone SCC is a readily treatable malignancy in early stage disease, however late stage disease has a poor prognosis. Differentiation of the SCC and stage of disease at presentation appear to have the greatest influence on 5-year survival rates. Further work is required in both the identification of early stage disease and in the treatment of later T3 and T4 lesions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00405-020-06281-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Multi-institutional Survey of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal in Japan

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with advanced cancer of the external auditory canal (EAC) by analyzing the outcome of the patients.

METHODS

This is a multi-institutional retrospective survey, and we reviewed the medical records of the subjects. A total of 181 patients with tumor (T)3 or T4 tumor in 17 institutions were enrolled. Further analysis was performed for 74 patients who underwent CRT under curative intent.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year survival rates of the patients who underwent CRT (n = 74) were 54.6%. Those of the patients who underwent CRT with modified TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin [CDDP], and 5-fluorouracil) regimen (n = 50) and CRT with CDDP regimens (n = 24) were 64.4% and 36.7%, respectively. Significant differences were observed between these two groups.

CONCLUSION

Given the tendency that head and neck surgeons prefer CRT for advanced larger cancer of the EAC, CRT for advanced EAC cancer using the modified TPF regimen showed good clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E870-E874, 2021.

External auditory canal carcinoma: clinical characteristics and long-term treatment outcomes

PURPOSE

Evidence-based treatment recommendations for external auditory canal (EAC) carcinoma are lacking in available literature. This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of EAC carcinoma in a tertiary referral centre in a period of 15 years and identify independent prognostic factors.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study enrolling all patients with primary EAC carcinoma who underwent primary surgical treatment at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (Lisbon) between 2004 and 2018. Epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and surgical data were retrieved from clinical records and analysed.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were identified, with a median age of 77 years (range 29-92 years) and a slight female predominance (59.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma (55.6%) was the most common histological type, followed by basal cell carcinoma (40.7%) and ceruminous adenocarcinoma (3.7%). Pittsburgh tumour staging was distributed as early stage in 51.9% (I: 40.7%; II: 11.1%) and advanced stage in 48.1% (III: 29.6%; IV: 18.5%). Median follow-up period was 21 months (interquartile-range: 47). Four patients (14.8%) showed recurrence; recurrence rate was significantly higher in individuals aged < 60 years (p = 0.025) and with lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.049). Median overall survival was 88 months and estimated 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were both 66%. Survival rates were higher in early stage patients (p = 0.021) and in those without facial palsy (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

Based on the available evidence in this review, individuals aged < 60, facial nerve impairment, advanced stage lesions, presence of lymphovascular invasion and squamous cell carcinoma histology are all associated with poor outcome and may be considered when discussing optimal treatment strategies in patients with EAC carcinoma.

Temporal bone carcinoma: Treatment patterns and survival

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Carcinomas of the temporal bone are rare, and appropriate treatment, staging, and survival data are limited. This study evaluates clinical characteristics and survival rates for patients with temporal bone carcinoma treated with resection at a single tertiary-care institution, with a focus on the outcomes of patients with locally advanced disease including skull base and/or dural invasion.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

Demographic, tumor-specific, and survival data were collected for patients with primary carcinomas of the external auditory canal with involvement of the temporal bone from 2003 to 2015. All patients were staged according to the modified Pittsburgh system. Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression analysis were used to calculate factor-specific survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients met inclusion criteria; 85% were male. There were 43 squamous cell carcinomas (64%) and 24 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (36%). Tumor stage was 24 (36%) T2, 12 (18%) T3, and 31 (46%) T4 tumors; 53% had recurrent disease. Surgical management included 49 lateral temporal bone resections and 18 subtotal temporal bone resections. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed more favorable 5-year survival rates associated with BCC histology (P = .01), lateral temporal bone resection compared to subtotal temporal bone resection (P < .01), lack of immunocompromise (P = .04), and absence of perineural/lymphovascular invasion (P = .01). Multivariate regression analysis did not yield statistically significant results.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors predictive of more favorable survival include lack of immunocompromise, BCC histology, absence of perineural/lymphovascular invasion, and disease extent amenable to lateral temporal bone resection. Dural invasion is not an absolute contraindication to surgery, with a subset of patients surviving >5 years.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 130:E11-E20, 2020.

The Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal: A Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics and evaluate the surgical outcomes of carcinoma of the external auditory canal (CEAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Overall, 31 patients from four multicenter hospitals, who were diagnosed and surgically treated for CEAC in 2009-2014, were enrolled for this retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed to determine cancer stage according to the Pittsburgh classification. Clinical data of age, sex, site, initial symptoms, surgery extent, postoperative complications including recurrence, follow-up period, and current patient status were collected for analysis. Five-year cumulative survival rate was obtained using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

At initial diagnosis, 22 patients were in the early stages (stage I: 15; stage II: 7) and 9 patients were in the advanced stages (stage III: 1; stage IV: 8). Lymph node metastasis was present in 5 patients and distant metastasis in 2. Of the 31 patients, 4 patients died (stage II: 1, stage IV: 3) during the follow-up period. Early-stage patients showed 100% 5-year estimated cumulative survival rate, whereas the advanced-stage patients showed 5-year estimated survival rate of 53.6% (p=.006). The overall survival rate of all enrolled patients was 90.3%. Although 5-year estimated disease-free survival rate of stage I was 100.0%, that for stage II was low at 30.0% because of considerable recurrences.

CONCLUSION

The results of this multicenter study suggest that more aggressive treatment modality, including adjuvant therapy, is necessary for patients with CEAC with Pittsburgh stage II or more.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Surgical Outcomes in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of External Auditory Canal

Objectives

Carcinomas of the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare, and management remains challenging. Previous studies seeking prognostic factors for EAC cancers included cancers other than carcinomas. In this study, we analyzed the treatment outcomes of, prognostic factors for, and survival rates associated with specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the EAC.

Methods

A retrospective review of 26 consecutive patients diagnosed with SCCs of the EAC in a 10-year period was performed in terms of clinical presentation, stage, choice of surgical procedure, and adjunct therapy. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated and univariate analysis of prognostic factors was performed.

Results

The median age of the 26 patients with SCCs of the EAC was 63 years (range, 40 to 72 years), and 16 males and 10 females were included. According to the modified University of Pittsburgh staging system, the T stages were T1 in 11, T2 in six, T3 in four, and T4 in five cases. The surgical procedures employed were wide excision in three cases, lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) in 17, and extended LTBR in four, and subtotal temporal bone resection in two. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and two underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient received preoperative radiation therapy, and eleven received postoperative radiation therapy. Of the possibly prognostic factors examined, advanced preoperative T stage and advanced overall stage were significant predictors of RFS, but not of OS.

Conclusion

The advanced T stage and overall stage were associated with decreased survival after surgical treatment in patients with SCC of the EAC, highlighting the importance of clinical vigilance and early detection.

The Outcomes of Surgery and Chemoradiotherapy for Temporal Bone Cancer

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and efficacy of treatment modalities for patients with temporal bone cancer, and to determine if definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for advanced-stage disease can provide a substitute for highly invasive surgeries.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Sixty-six patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone treated with curative intent between April 1997 and March 2015.

INTERVENTION

Surgery alone, radiotherapy (RT) alone, surgery followed by RT or definitive CRT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The overall survival (OS) rate.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS rate for each T classification was 100% for T1, 76.2% for T2, 55.6% for T3, and 36.7% for T4. Univariable and multivariable analysis showed that T classification was an independent predictor of the OS rate (hazard ratio 5.66; 95% confidence interval 1.51-27.0; p = 0.015). Analysis by treatment modality revealed that the 5-year OS rate for patients with T1-2 was 100% for surgery and 81.3% for RT alone. The rate for patients with T3-4 was 52.1% for definitive CRT and 55.6% for surgery followed by RT with or without chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T1-2 benefited from surgical intervention without significant morbidity or mortality. Our findings also suggested that definitive CRT might be appropriate as the first-line treatment for T3-4, especially in cases with unresectable tumors.

Radiology of external ear: indications, normal anatomy, and pathological processes

The external ear is accessible to direct examination; the clinical history and otoscopy are sufficient to diagnose and treat most diseases of the external ear. We aim to describe the normal anatomy of the external ear, specify the indications for imaging tests, and review the clinical and radiological manifestations of the most common diseases affecting the external ear. We classify these diseases according to their origin into congenital, inflammatory, infectious, or traumatic disease or benign bone tumors or malignant tumors. Imaging does not play an important role in diseases of the external ear, but in certain clinical scenarios it can be crucial for reaching a concrete diagnosis and establishing the best treatment. Computed tomography is the first-choice technique for most diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging complements computed tomography and makes it possible to differentiate among different tissue types and to evaluate the extension of disease accurately.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal in a patient with non-resolving ear discharge

Discharging ear is a common symptom in the primary care and private general clinics. Most of the cases are treated with the antibiotic ear drops for otitis externa or otitis media. However, despite an adequate standard therapy, a malignant tumour can also be present with non-specific symptom such as ear discharge, especially in the case of persistent ear discharge. In this paper we have reported a case of an adult woman presented with non-resolving ear discharge who was treated repeatedly with antibiotic ear drop, which was later diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.

[Clinical characteristics of malignant tumours originating in the external ear]

BACKGROUND

Skin tumours that originate in the external ear are common in individuals with type 1 skin and phenotype 1 and 2. The skin cancer is associated with chronic or intermittent, but intense sunlight. The most common malignant tumour is basal cell carcinoma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The diagnosis of squamous cell skin cancer in head and neck area is usually made in the advanced stages and has a poor prognosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis was performed on the database of patients with skin cancer of the external ear treated between 2011 and 2014. Histology type, stage, rate of clinical and occult metastases, and rate of loco-regional recurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 42 patients included there were, 25 squamous cell carcinomas, 11 basal cell carcinomas, and 6 invasive melanomas. The rate of lymph node metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma was 32%, mostly in the parotid and peri-parotid region, 7% of them with capsular rupture, 2/17 were staged as cN0, and 11.7% had occult metastases. All patients with nodal metastasis were classified as T2 with ulceration. None of the patients with basal cell carcinoma had lymph node metastases. All melanomas were superficial extension type with mean level of Breslow of 3 mm. All underwent lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy, with only one having metastases in the sentinel node.

CONCLUSION

The most frequent tumour in the external ear in this series was squamous cell carcinoma. The possibility of lymph node metastases is associated with tumour size (T). Node dissection should be systematic in patients with T2 or greater.

CT Findings in the External Auditory Canal after Transcanal Surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Middle ear surgery is often performed through the external auditory canal, and the CT appearance of the external auditory canal after transcanal middle ear surgery can mimic erosive pathology such as carcinoma, external auditory canal cholesteatoma, or necrotizing external otitis. We reviewed the CT findings in a group of patients following transcanal surgery to highlight this potential pitfall in interpretation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven temporal bones in 25 patients with a history of a transcanal approach to the middle ear and available postoperative CT imaging were identified. Images were assessed for changes along or involving the walls of the external auditory canal, including widening, irregularity, bony defects, and soft tissue opacification.

RESULTS

Osseous changes along the floor of the external auditory canal were demonstrated in 25 of 27 (92.6%) temporal bone CT scans. Similar changes were present in the superior and anterior walls of the external auditory canal in 21 and 18 temporal bones, respectively. The anterior wall was the most common site for complete bony defects (10 of 27 temporal bones). The posterior wall was the least often involved, with osseous changes in 15 of 27 temporal bones and bony defects in 3 cases. Soft tissue thickening was seen most commonly along the floor. No patient was found to have a superimposed pathologic process of the external auditory canal.

CONCLUSIONS

CT findings in the external auditory canal after transcanal surgery include thinning, irregularity and/or flattening of the bone, soft tissue thickening, and bony wall defects. Although these changes may be subtle, they may mimic pathology and should be included in the differential diagnosis of osseous abnormality of the external auditory canal.

Chemoradiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The standard treatment for advanced external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is subtotal temporal bone resection and postoperative radiation therapy (RT), whereas chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is used in some institutions to improve patient prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CRT in external auditory canal SCC treatment.

METHODS

Meta-analyses of external auditory canal SCC studies were performed. We extracted 5-year overall survival rates and number of patients for aggregate patient data, and types of treatment and outcomes for individual patient data.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate of 752 patients was 57%. In the individual patient data meta-analysis, the 5-year overall survival rates of patients who received surgery ± RT, preoperative CRT, definitive CRT, and postoperative CRT were 53.5%, 85.7%, 43.6%, and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that preoperative CRT may improve the survival of surgically treated patients with external auditory canal SCC and that definitive CRT may be equivalent to surgical resection.

A rare case of metachronous triple cancers involving the tympanic membrane

Multiple primary malignancies are not rare. While metachronous triple cancers are rare and a triple tumor case involving maxillary sinus and tympanic membrane is exceptionally rare. We present such an extremely rare case with the index tumor of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus and 14 years later esophageal cancer was observed as a metachronous tumor. One year after esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma arising from tympanic membrane was detected. Before the tumor of tympanic membrane was observed, the patient had received total three radiation courses. Prior radiation therapy is suspected to be playing a role in inducing the squamous cell carcinoma of the tympanic membrane.

Cancer of the external auditory canal

INTRODUCTION

Cancer of the external auditory canal is a rare tumour with an annual incidence of one per one million inhabitants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates in a series of patients with carcinoma of the external auditory canal and to compare our results concerning the clinical presentation, management and survival with those of the literature.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Ten patients were included in this retrospective, single-centre study over a 20-year period. Data concerning age, symptoms, imaging, TNM stage according to the Pittsburgh classification, histology, management, sequelae, recurrences and survival were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients of this series was 60.7 years. Seven patients had a squamous cell carcinoma. The other histological types were undifferentiated carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Staging was based on the Pittsburgh classification with one stage I, one stage III and eight stage IV tumours. Five-year overall survival rates were 100%, 50% and 0%, respectively. The mean 5-year overall survival rate was 35% and the mean 5-year disease-free survival rate was 24%.

CONCLUSION

Carcinoma of the external auditory canal is a difficult diagnosis when the tumour does not present as a fungating mass protruding from the external auditory canal. The Pittsburgh classification was used for TNM staging of these tumours, allowing comparison of our results with those of the literature. The clinical findings and survival rates observed in this study are comparable to those reported in the literature. These tumours are associated with a poor prognosis on the basis of our results and published data.

Expression of the tumour-suppressor maspin in temporal bone carcinoma

AIMS

Although it accounts for fewer than 0.2% of all head and neck tumours, temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis in advanced cases. Novel therapeutic strategies should be developed focusing on specific targeted therapies. Maspin is a serpin showing tumour-suppressing activity which has therapeutic potential. The present study is the first to investigate maspin expression in temporal bone SCCs, using a series of 29 cases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cytoplasmic maspin expression was significantly higher in the group of patients whose SCC did not recur than in the group experiencing recurrences (P = 0.029), and in G1-G2 SCCs than in G3 cases (P = 0.001). cT correlated with recurrence rate (P = 0.05), disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.008) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (P = 0.0043), and pT and pathological regional lymph node status correlated with recurrence rate (P = 0.008 and P = 0.03, respectively), DFS (P = 0.017 and P = 0.0049, respectively) and DSS (P = 0.008 and P = 0.0009, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Although further studies using larger series are required, our preliminary findings suggest that cytoplasmic maspin expression has promise as a prognostic indicator of disease recurrence in temporal bone SCC, and that reactivating maspin functions in association with apoptosis-inducing or anti-angiogenic chemotherapeutic agents might be an important goal in the treatment of temporal bone SCC.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: A case report and review of the literature

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal, middle ear and temporal bone is a rare and unusual malignancy. The lack of a unifying classification system in the past, along with the rarity of the disease has made the development of clear treatment guidelines difficult. In this report, we describe a clinical case of a patient with this rare malignancy, discuss the challenges associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and review the literature for trends while outlining the most beneficial treatment strategy for this patient population.

Temporal bone malignancies

Primary temporal bone tumors are rare. Suspicious lesions of the ear canal should be biopsied for diagnosis. Surgical resection to achieve negative margins is the mainstay of treatment. Small tumors can be treated with lateral temporal bone resection. Parotidectomy and neck dissection are added for disease extension and proper staging. Higher staged tumors generally require subtotal temporal bone resection or total temporal bone resection. Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy has shown improved survival for some patients. Chemotherapy has an emerging role for advanced stage disease. Evaluation and management by a multidisciplinary team are the best approach for patients with these tumors.

Lateral temporal bone resection in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: report of 35 patients

Objective To evaluate lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) in the management of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with temporal bone invasion and patterns of failure. Methods This is a retrospective study of 35 patients undergoing lateral temporal bone resection for advanced cutaneous SCC at a tertiary care center between 1995 and 2006. Results The Pittsburgh tumor stage was T4 in 18 patients (51%), T3 in 5 (14%), T2 in 9 (26%), and T1 in 3 (9%). Clear margins were reported in 22 (63%) patients. Resection of the mandible and/or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was required in 11 (31%) patients. Facial nerve involvement was seen in 10 (29%) patients. Survival outcomes at 2 and 5 years for overall survival were 72% and 49%; disease-free survival, 68% and 59%; and disease-specific survival, 79% and 62%, respectively. Pittsburgh T stage correlated significantly with disease-specific survival (p = 0.015) and margin status was significant for both disease-free survival (p = 0.0015) and disease-specific survival (p < 0.001). Conclusions Surgery with curative intent is justified for cutaneous SCC invading the temporal bone with extended LTBR. Margin status was a significant predictor of outcome. Surgeons should plan preoperatively to achieve clear margins by extending the LTBR with possible nerve resection.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: a case report

Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone and external auditory canal is a rare tumor with a reported incidence of between 1 to 6 cases per million population per year. Because squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone and auditory canal is so rare, developing an adequate tumor staging system and treatment has been difficult. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal in 65-year-old Hispanic female who presented with a 6-month history of right ear pain, 3-month history of serosanguineous right ear drainage, and symptoms of facial paralysis. Due to the extensive spread of her tumor into the middle ear at the time of diagnosis, her tumor was deemed unresectable and she received palliative chemotherapy and radiation therapy and was sent to Alice Hospice and died several weeks later.

Predictors of survival and recurrence after temporal bone resection for cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify factors predictive of outcome in patients undergoing temporal bone resection (TBR) for head and neck cancer.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 72 patients undergoing TBR. Factors associated with survival and recurrence were identified on multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Most tumors were epithelial (81%), commonly (69%) involving critical structures. Cervical metastases were uncommon (6%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal carried a high rate of parotid invasion (25%) and parotid nodal metastases (43%). The 5-year rate of overall survival (OS) was 62%; disease-specific survival (DSS), 70%; recurrence-free survival (RFS), 46%. Factors independently associated with outcome on multivariable analysis were margin status and extratemporal spread of disease to the parotid, mandible, or regional nodes. Recurrence was common (72%) in cT3-4 tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Margin status and extratemporal disease spread are the strongest independent predictors of survival and recurrence. In SCC of the external auditory canal, high rates of parotid involvement support adjunctive parotidectomy. Risk of recurrence in T3-T4 tumors may support a role for adjuvant therapy.

Guidelines for delineation of lymphatic clinical target volumes for high conformal radiotherapy: head and neck region

The success of radiotherapy depends on the accurate delineation of the clinical target volume. The delineation of the lymph node regions has most impact, especially for tumors in the head and neck region. The purpose of this article was the development an atlas for the delineation of the clinical target volume for patients, who should receive radiotherapy for a tumor of the head and neck region. Literature was reviewed for localisations of the adjacent lymph node regions and their lymph drain in dependence of the tumor entity. On this basis the lymph node regions were contoured on transversal CT slices. The probability for involvement was reviewed and a recommendation for the delineation of the CTV was generated.

The role of facial palsy in staging squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone and external auditory canal: a comparative survival analysis

OBJECTIVES

The role for facial palsy in the Pittsburgh staging system for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is unclear. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published studies to determine the impact of facial palsy on survival outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, Cochrane, clinicaltrials.gov, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse databases was supplemented by hand searching.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles selected for final analysis had individual subject data on staging and/or facial nerve function, outcome, and follow-up period.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extracted included demographics, type and stage of cancer, survival, and facial nerve status.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 3,046 citations identified by a systematic literature search, 21 case series including 348 subjects with SCC of the EAC met criteria for analysis. The overall and disease-specific survival for subjects with facial palsy were significantly worse than subjects without facial palsy, regardless of stage (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002, respectively). The overall survival outcome for subjects with facial palsy was significantly worse than subjects with stage PITT-2000 T3-designated cancer (p = 0.027) and demonstrated no statistically significant difference from stage PITT-2000 T4-designated cancer (p = 0.897).

CONCLUSION

This pooled-data survival analysis for SCC of the EAC demonstrates that facial nerve involvement is associated with a poor outcome and that the survival outcomes for subjects with facial palsy more closely parallel the survival curves of advanced stage T4 disease. Disease with facial palsy should be classified as stage T4, in accordance with the PITT-2000 system.

Outcomes following temporal bone resection

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate survival outcomes in patients undergoing temporal bone resection.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2009 a total of 65 patients underwent temporal bone resection for epithelial (n = 47) and salivary (n = 18) skull base malignancies. Tumor characteristics, defect reconstruction, and postoperative course were assessed. Outcomes measured included disease-free survival and cancer recurrence.

RESULTS

The majority of patients presented with recurrent (65%), advanced stage (94%), cutaneous (72%), and squamous cell carcinoma (57%). Thirty-nine patients had perineural invasion (60%) and required facial nerve resection; 16 (25%) had intracranial extension. Local (n = 6), regional (n = 2), or free flap (n = 46) reconstruction was required in 80% of patients. Free flap donor sites included the anterolateral thigh (31%), radial forearm free flap (19%), rectus (35%), and latissimus (4%). The average hospital stay was 4.9 days (range, 1-28 days). The overall complication rate was 15% and included stroke (n = 4), cerebrospinal fluid leak (n = 2), hematoma formation (n = 1), infection (n = 1), flap loss (n = 1), and postoperative myocardial infarction (n = 1). A total of 22 patients (34%) developed cancer recurrence during the follow-up period (median, 10 months), 17 (77%) of whom presented with recurrent disease at the time of temporal bone resection. Two-year disease-free survival was 68%, and 5-year disease-free survival was 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive surgical resection and reconstruction is recommended for primary and recurrent skull base malignancies with acceptable morbidity and improved disease-free survival.

Cancer of the external auditory canal-diagnostic and treatment

BACKGROUND

Ear squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a tumor with a poor prognosis, due to a late initial diagnosis because of a concealment by primarily benign symptoms and due to the unfavorable localization including the infiltration of important structures such as the middle ear, mandibular joint or dura.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined 10 patients, medium age: 63.8 ± 9.3 years between 2002 and 2008 with a histological confirmed SCC of the external auditory canal. The median follow-up period was 20.5 months (range 7-60 months).

RESULTS

The treatment involving surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy yielded a survival rate of 38.3 ± 11.3 months for T1 and a survival rate of 17.0 ± 3.0 months for T2-T4 tumors. 3/10 patients at T1 stage are under follow-up, all 7/10 (70%) patients at T2 and T4 stage did not survive 5 years.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis for ear SCC primarily depends on early clinical and histopathological diagnostics and requires a sufficient and standardized staging to determine the therapy involving surgery and radiochemotherapy.