Ear malignancy

(External ear and external auditory canal tumors) Malignant tumors are rare in the external ear. Statistics abroad show that malignant tumors of the auricle and its adjacent structures account for about 6% of all skin malignancies. Friedmann (1974) counted 295 cases of ear malignant tumors, including 58 cases (19%) of the auricles, 158 cases (54%) of the external auditory canal, and 79 cases (72%) of the middle ear. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of malignant tumor of the external ear, regardless of whether it occurs in the auricle or external auditory canal. The second most common are basal cell carcinoma of the auricle and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal. Other malignant tumors such as rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant melanoma are rare.