A case of ceruminous adenocarcinoma of the external auditory canal presenting as an aural polyp

Abstract

Ceruminous adenocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor arising from the ceruminous gland of the external auditory canal ceruminous gland. Usually it displays no specific clinical symptoms or signs, so most reported cases have involved an advanced tumor and the treatment results have been disappointing. It is important to make an early diagnosis to improve the treatment's outcome. We present the case of a 54-year-old female patient with a 1-year history of feeling blockage in her left ear. Otoscopic examination revealed an aural polyp arising from the cartilaginous ear canal's anterosuperior wall. A wide local excisional biopsy was performed, and the pathologic result was a ceruminous adenocarcinoma. We were able to detect the tumor early, and en bloc resection was possible in the form of a partial temporal bone resection.