Squamous cell carcinoma of the pinna

Background and objective. Squamous cell carcinoma of the pinna seems to be associated with a worse prognosis as compared to other locations. Patients/methods. We studied 88 patients treated between 1975 and 1990 for a squamous cell carcinoma of the pinna. Results. Lymph node metastases were present in eight cases (9%) prior to treatment. Treatment was intended to be curative in 83 patients (94%). Tumor therapy was operative in all cases. Radiotherapy was instituted postoperatively in three patients;five patients (5.7%) died due to the tumor. Of 83 curatively treated patients, only 2 died of tumor progression. The survival rate was 98% after 2 years and 95% after 5 years. The recurrence rate was 7% after 1 year, 13% after 2 yea rs, and 18% after 5 years. The outcome with regard to local tumor control and survival was significantly poorer when neck metastases were present. Conclusions. We recommend tumor excision with wide margins (5-10 mm) as first-line treatment. Neck dissection with parotidectomy is indicated when suspicious lymph nodes are detected by ultrasound sonography, the tumor diameter is >4 cm, cartilaginous invasion is present, and vertical tumor thickness is >5 mm.