Utility of lateral temporal bone resection for stage T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma of external auditory canal

Abstract

We retrospectively studied the clinical features and treatment course in 10 patients with stage T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal （EAC） who received initial therapy in our hospital. Six patients underwent lateral temporal bone resection （LTBR）, two patients partial resection of EAC, and two patients radiotherapy. The three-year disease-free survival rates of LTBR, partial resection of EAC, and radiotherapy were 83, 50, and 50 percent, respectively. Recurrence was observed in three patients, one from each of the three treatment groups. Radiotherapy was not effective for all of the patients with recurrence, who died due to cancer progressing to the infratemporal fossa. Considering that LTBR was a satisfactory result, removal of the tumor with sufficient safety margin by using LTBR is important for T1 and T2 carcinoma of EAC.