Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is a type of malignant tumor that can arise in the ear canal and erode the bone of the ear canal. Invasion of the eardrum, middle ear, facial nerve and temporomandibular joint can also occur. In general chemotherapy and radiation therapy have minor roles in treatment. The best treatment involves surgical resection.

For lesions limited to the ear canal and eardrum, surgery involves a lateral temporal bone resection (complete removal of the ear canal and eardrum). When the tumor has spread into the middle ear space, a subtotal temporal bone resection should be performed. This involves the additional removal of the inner ear. For more extensive lesions, consideration should be given to a total temporal bone resection.