Malignancy of the temporal bone and external auditory canal

A retrospective study of 18 patients with malignant tumors of the external auditory canal and temporal bone was undertaken to gain an Asian perspective of this rare disease. Of these patients, 15 (83%) had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 61% had stage T3 tumors at presentation. The mean age was 56 years (range 38-82 years). Seven (39%) of the 18 patients had radiation-associated tumors (RATs), and all had undergone radiotherapy for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The 1-year cumulative recurrence for the RAT group was 100%, but there was no recurrence in the non-RAT group (P = 0.001). In malignancies of the external auditory canal and temporal bone, a different classification and staging system for patients with RATs may be warranted to better guide treatment strategies.