title: Recurrent ceruminous adenocarcinoma of the external auditory canal.
abstract: Ceruminous adenocarcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the glandular structures of the external auditory canal. The true incidence and behavior of these rare tumors are still unclear due to confusing terminology, classification and histological definitions. Therefore, the ENT surgeon faces major difficulties in choosing the method of management--conservative or more radical surgery--with the addition or not of radiotherapy. We report a 57-year-old male patient with a recurrence of a previously excised (maybe partially) and irradiated ceruminous adenocarcinoma of the right external auditory canal. Aggressive surgery was considered as the treatment of choice. However, the patient refused this approach and, as a consequence, a conservative excision was performed but with histologically confirmed healthy margins. To our surprise, the patient showed an excellent response and he is disease free 3 years following the last operation. Although recurrences usually occur within months after inadequate management, some may happen even 7 years post treatment. Therefore, routine long-term follow-up was advised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzagaroulakis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pasxalidis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.forename: Aggeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boussiotou
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nikolopoulos
authors.forename: Stauros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Korres
authors.forename: Eleutherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferekidis
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome