ABSTRACT
Tumours involving the temporal bone are rare but present with symptoms similar to inflammatory ear disease. A high index of suspicion is required for the early diagnosis of malignant tumours. Pain, bleeding from the ear canal and facial palsy may herald the onset of malignancy. Local extension of tumour to structures surrounding the temporal bone occurs early and often silently, and as a result, most tumours present at a relatively advanced stage. The prognosis of treated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the temporal bone is determined primarily by the extent of local disease at diagnosis. Combined treatment of tumours limited to the external auditory canal (EAC) can result in a moderate 5-year survival, but advanced cancer has a very poor prognosis.
