ABSTRACT
Where squamous carcinoma of the external ear has spread to regional lymph nodes, this will be diagnosed by the palpation of an enlarged node in the neck. Confirmation of the presence of metastatic cancer can be obtained by fine-needle aspiration and cytological examination of the aspirate. Radical neck dissection (described in the section on diseases of the throat and neck) should be added to the surgical treatment of the primary tumour. In the case of malignant melanoma similar principles apply, and radical resection with radical neck dissection would be the normal treatment.
