Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal: an evaluation of a staging system.

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to review a staging system proposed by the University of Pittsburgh for temporal bone cancer and to evaluate survival status according to stage, treatment, and certain prognostic factors.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was a retrospective case review.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a tertiary care medical center and specialty hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-two patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal were studied.

INTERVENTION

All patients underwent surgery of the temporal bone. Radiotherapy was given depending on tumor stage and histopathologic findings.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The 2-year survival rates of patients undergoing surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The 2-year survival rates for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone were as follows: T1 lesions 100%, T2 80%, T3 50%, and T4 7%. Survival for T3 tumors was 75% with postoperative radiotherapy, compared with 0% with surgery alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2-year survival data directly correlated with the staging system. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy increased survival rate in patients with a T3 lesion.