Malignant tumors of auricula and periauricular area

Background/Aim. Malignant tumors of auricula and periauricular area represent seven percent of all cutaneous tumors. They appear mostly in the sixth and seventh decade. According to histological type they are basocellular and planocellular carcinomas. The most frequent etiology is the sun exposition. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and histological characteristics and therapy of malignant tumors of auricular and periauricular area. Methods. Totally 155 patients were treated in ORL Clinic, Clinical Center Nis during the period 1990-2006. The patients were treated surgically (59.35%), by radiotherapy (1.94%) and by combination of the two methods (38.71%). Results. Since the majority of tumors were small and presented on the helix, wedge excision and primary reconstruction were performed (136), while total (9) or partial (10) auriculectomy were done in a small number of the patients. For larger lesions (T4 - when lesion is greater than 4.0 cm) and neck metastasis invading cartilage or bone, parotidectomy (15), radical neck dissection (25) and temporal bone resection (9) were performed. Conclusion. Carcinoma of auricular and periauricular area should be confirmed by biopsy and histopathologic evaluation. In all cases an adequate excision, margin examination and observation of appropriate lymph node draining regions should be provided.