Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone: critical analysis of cases with a poor prognosis

Abstract

Purpose: Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is an uncommon, aggressive malignancy with a significant recurrence rate. We reviewed our experience with recurrent TBSCCs.

Materials and methods: Clinicopathological and therapeutic variables potentially associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were assessed in 17 TBSCC patients who died of their disease after treatment.

Results: TBSCC recurrences were treated with surgery in 12 cases (palliative in 11, with curative intent in 1) and palliative chemotherapy in 5; the median DFS and DSS were 6 and 16 months, respectively. The mean DFS and DSS were longer in patients who had primary lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) rather than subtotal temporal bone resection (STBR) (p=0.0173 and p=0.03, respectively). Patients given non-surgical palliative treatment for recurrences had a longer mean DSS than those who underwent surgery (trend toward significance, p=0.09).

Conclusions: Our results reflect the aggressive nature of TBSCC recurrences. Our findings seem to support the use of non-surgical treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or specialist palliative care) in patients with loco-regionally advanced recurrent TBSCC. Salvage surgery might be considered for early recurrences when radicality is still achievable. Precise guidelines for the rational follow-up of surgically-treated TBSCCs need to be shared between tertiary centers.