Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma the Outcome of Radical Surgery as an Initial Treatment.

ABSTRACT

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical data and management of patients with temporal bone carcinoma and to discuss the management outcomes. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (academic tertiary centre) from January 2002 to December 2011. Methodology: Medical records of nine patients were retrieved for this study. There were seven male and two female patients. The mean age of presentation was 60 years old, with an age range between 49 to 75 years. The clinical presentations, investigations, staging, treatment modalities and outcomes are reviewed. Results: Four patients presented with primary tumour of the temporal bone, while the remaining five were referred from other centres with disease recurrence. Only one out of the five patients that were referred to us had underwent a lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) at presentation which was however an incomplete LTBR. Three out of the five patients (60%) have died with disease recurrence. One patient remained disease free while another patient was lost to follow up. Two out of the four patients who presented with primary tumour remained well while two others had positive margins due to advanced disease at presentation. Conclusion: Recurrence of disease is likely to occur if aggressive treatment is not offered at presentation or if the diagnosis is delayed. We therefore strongly suggest for early referral to a tertiary centre as aggressive primary surgical treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy shows a better prognosis.