Evaluation of results of radiotherapy alone vs combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in carcinoma external auditory canal—10 years review

Forty-one patients of external auditory canal (EAC) cancer attended the Department of Radiotherapy (RT), Medical College Hospital, Kolkata during the period from 1987 to 1996. Majority were above 50 years of age with slight female preponderance. Out of 41 patients 36 patients completed the full course of treatment of which 12 patients underwent combined modality treatment (RT 50–55 Gy plus surgery) and 24 patients received primary RT alone (55–60 Gy). Radiation therapy was given in standard fractionation schedule. Retrospective analysis revealed complete response in 8/12 (66.7%) in combined modality treatment group and in 3/24 (12.5%) in RT alone group. The actuarial 2 year survival was 19%. following RT alone, 85% following combined modality, 70% in early lesions and 18% in advanced lesions. The study suggests, surgical resection followed by postoperative irradiation is an effective method and better treatment option than RT alone as primary treatment modality for carcinoma of EAC.