Mode of Parotid Involvement in External Auditory Canal Carcinoma

Introduction: Parotidectomy is a usual procedure of the surgical treatment in cases of the external ear malignancy. But, until now, little had been known about the mode of parotid involvement in the case of external auditory canal (EAC) carcinoma. Material and Methods: The study comprised 11 patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 10 patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC). We conducted surgical extirpation at Yonsei Medical Center from August 1989 to July 1998. A retrospective review of the surgical specimens was undertaken with specific reference to parotid node metastasis and parotid invasion. Results: We examined the incidence of parotid node metastasis and direct parotid invasion in patients with EAC carcinoma. Parotid node metastasis was noted only in two cases of advanced stage SCC, whereas none of the ACC patients showed parotid node metastasis. Direct parotid invasion occurred only in advanced-staged SCC; however, it did occur in early-stage ACC. Conclusions: Our data indicated that elective parotidectomy for control of occult parotid node metastasis is necessary only in advanced SCC carcinoma, whereas parotid management to secure adequate safety margin is mandatory for advanced SCC and all cases of ACC.