[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of external auditory canal: a report of 7 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To detect the clinical and pathological features of the adenoid cystic carcinoma of external auditory canal, and to improve its diagnosis and treatment level.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was performed on 7 patients with ACCEAC by their clinical manifestation, the therapy and follow-up results as well as the combination with the review of related literature.

RESULT

The period from the appearance of primary symptoms to definite diagnosis averaged 5.7 years. All patients were treated by surgical excision and followed up from 2 years 8 months to 9 years 11 months. Five of them were recurrent after operation, 2 of which died.

CONCLUSION

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of external auditory canal, which is rarely seen in clinic, is not easy to exact diagnosis in early stage. It progresses slowly and tends to invade parotid and even intracranial cavity. It also has the tendency of recurrence and pulmonary metastasis. So, its necessary to do both aggressive surgery and postoperative irradiation. The long term follow-up indicates that the tumor has a poor prognosis.