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Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal–a nationwide study

Sandström, K. LU ; Olaison, S. ; Werner, M. LU ; Bonnard ; Lindqvist, O. ; Johansen, A. ; Tulinius, A. ; Krounis, C. and Eriksson, P. O. (2026) In Acta Oto-Laryngologica
Abstract

Background: National studies on primary malignant tumours arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare. Objectives: To investigate the incidence and outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (SCC-EAC) in Sweden. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included patients diagnosed with SCC-EAC in Sweden from 2007 to 2017. Results: Forty-six patients with SCC-EAC were identified. The crude annual incidence was 0.043 per 100,000 inhabitants (age-standardised rate (ASR): 0.024 WHO, 0.045 Europe). Among the 40 patients treated with curative intent, 85% achieved remission, and 23% subsequently relapsed. Uncertain or non-radical primary surgery significantly correlated with residual tumour or relapse... (More)

Background: National studies on primary malignant tumours arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare. Objectives: To investigate the incidence and outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (SCC-EAC) in Sweden. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included patients diagnosed with SCC-EAC in Sweden from 2007 to 2017. Results: Forty-six patients with SCC-EAC were identified. The crude annual incidence was 0.043 per 100,000 inhabitants (age-standardised rate (ASR): 0.024 WHO, 0.045 Europe). Among the 40 patients treated with curative intent, 85% achieved remission, and 23% subsequently relapsed. Uncertain or non-radical primary surgery significantly correlated with residual tumour or relapse (p = 0.01) and disease-specific mortality (p = 0.002). Clear margins were achieved in 60% of T1 tumours and 21% of T4 tumours, indicating surgical undertreatment. None of the patients who underwent radical surgery died of SCC-EAC. Conclusions and significance: The incidence of SCC-EAC in Sweden was lower than international rates. Non-radical surgery drastically increased mortality, and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) could not fully compensate for incomplete resection. Consequently, a more aggressive surgical approach is justified.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
External auditory canal, incidence, radiotherapy, squamous cell carcinoma, surgery
in
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:105031628394
ISSN
0001-6489
DOI
10.1080/00016489.2026.2625816
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
id
200a66b7-9b8b-4ee6-a1ab-6e29d01a68af
date added to LUP
2026-04-09 16:01:12
date last changed
2026-04-09 16:02:29
@article{200a66b7-9b8b-4ee6-a1ab-6e29d01a68af,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: National studies on primary malignant tumours arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare. Objectives: To investigate the incidence and outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (SCC-EAC) in Sweden. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included patients diagnosed with SCC-EAC in Sweden from 2007 to 2017. Results: Forty-six patients with SCC-EAC were identified. The crude annual incidence was 0.043 per 100,000 inhabitants (age-standardised rate (ASR): 0.024 WHO, 0.045 Europe). Among the 40 patients treated with curative intent, 85% achieved remission, and 23% subsequently relapsed. Uncertain or non-radical primary surgery significantly correlated with residual tumour or relapse (p = 0.01) and disease-specific mortality (p = 0.002). Clear margins were achieved in 60% of T1 tumours and 21% of T4 tumours, indicating surgical undertreatment. None of the patients who underwent radical surgery died of SCC-EAC. Conclusions and significance: The incidence of SCC-EAC in Sweden was lower than international rates. Non-radical surgery drastically increased mortality, and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) could not fully compensate for incomplete resection. Consequently, a more aggressive surgical approach is justified.</p>}},
  author       = {{Sandström, K. and Olaison, S. and Werner, M. and Bonnard and Lindqvist, O. and Johansen, A. and Tulinius, A. and Krounis, C. and Eriksson, P. O.}},
  issn         = {{0001-6489}},
  keywords     = {{External auditory canal; incidence; radiotherapy; squamous cell carcinoma; surgery}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Acta Oto-Laryngologica}},
  title        = {{Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal–a nationwide study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2026.2625816}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/00016489.2026.2625816}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}