Factors associated with recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma involving the temporal bone

This study aimed to better identify factors associated with recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the temporal bone.

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Sixty patients who were diagnosed over a 10-year period with SCC involving the temporal bone and underwent surgical resection were analyzed. All patients were staged based on the University of Pittsburgh staging system. Demographic, intraoperative, and pathologic data were analyzed with respect to recurrence.

Thirteen (21.7%) patients were T1, 8 (13.3%) T2, 7 (11.7%) T3, and 32 (53.3%) T4. Eighteen patients (30.0%) recurred in the study period. The mean time to recurrence was 5.8 months. Tumors originating in the skin overlying the parotid gland and the external auditory canal had higher recurrence rates than those from the auricle/postauricular skin and temporal bone (P = .05). Direct parotid and perineural spread accounted for 15.0% of all routes of temporal invasion but resulted in 22.2% of all recurrences (P = .04). Increased N stage was statistically associated with increased risk of recurrence (P = .01). Cervical, as compared to perifacial and parotid, lymph node involvement was associated with increased risk of recurrence (odds ratio = 6.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-42.87).

We have identified multiple factors that are associated with increased recurrence of SCC involving the temporal bone.