Evaluating the outcomes of temporal bone resection in metastatic cutaneous head and neck malignancies: 13-year review

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the survival outcomes of patients who underwent lateral temporal bone resection as treatment for metastatic skin cancers.

Methods: A single-institute, retrospective chart review was carried out on patients who underwent lateral temporal bone resection between January 2000 and December 2012. Overall survival and disease-free survival rates were calculated.

Results: Forty-seven patients underwent temporal bone resection for primary (n = 21) or recurrent (n = 26) malignancies. The majority of patients (95.4 per cent) had advanced disease (stage III or IV). Average patient follow-up duration was 45 months. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 40 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The five-year disease-free survival rate was 28 per cent.

Conclusion: Aggressive initial surgical resection is warranted in the treatment of these tumours.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Metastatic; Temporal Bone; Treatment Outcome.