Surgical Management of Auricular and Peri-Auricular Cutaneous Malignancy
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2025-05-07
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Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
The head and neck region is vulnerable to developing cutaneous malignancy from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure that commonly occurs to this region. Cutaneous malignancies of the auricle and the surroundding region (periauricular) can be challenging to treat as these tumours can be aggressive. Examination and management of the often associated complex anatomy in this area may be difficult for primary care and dermatology providers. As such, these patients are often referred to otolaryngology/head and neck surgery who have the required training and expertise to provide surgical treatment. Basal cell carcinoma (BCCA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) are the most common cutaneous malignancies in the auricular and periauricular regions. More aggressive tumours, including melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma are less common. The most common cutaneous malignancy on UV exposed areas of the auricle and periauricular regions are BCCA, while SCCA is the most common malignancy in the non-UV light exposed EAC. In a review of the senior author’s ten-year experience treating 387 patients with periauricular malignancies, 43% were SCCA, 41% were BCCA, 10% were melanoma, and < 1% were Merkel cell carcinoma.
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Reference:
Patel, Tirth. R. & Basura, Gregory. J. 2025. Surgical Management of Auricular and Peri-Auricular Cutaneous Malignancy. In Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 9. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43515 .