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.