Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and middle ear results of treatment with subtotal temporal bone resection and postoperative radiotherapy

Surgical treatment of carcinoma of the ear canal had evolved over the last half century. Several approaches are practiced. Primary radiotherapy is practiced in only a few centres. The small number of patients seen each year in a given centre, the lack of proper staging and the variability of treatment schedules used, make comparisons difficult. Twenty one cases of histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the ear canal seen over a period of 20 years were treated with subtotal temporal bone resection and postoperative external beam radiotherapy. Tumors were staged preoperatively according to the classification suggested by Stell. There were 9 T1, 7 T2 and 2 T3 tumors. Three patients had cervical lymph node metastases at presentation. The overall 5 year disease free survival was 42%. Quality of life as regards speech, swallowing, body image and social contacts was preserved.