Metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma in the external auditory canal.
OBJECTIVE
To present a rare case of rectal adenocarcinoma metastasising to the external auditory canal, in a patient in whom computed tomography staging of the abdomen, chest and pelvis was clear for metastatic disease.


METHODS
Case report and review of the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Metastatic tumours to the external auditory canal are rare, with rectal adenocarcinoma being one of the rarest. However, it is important that the external auditory canal is regarded as a potential site for metastasis, even when computed tomography staging is clear. Metastatic tumour should be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with an ear mass.
ENT Department, Leeds General Infirmary, England, UK. simon_carr@hotmail.com
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Carr
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Anderson
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D004424:Ear Canal; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed