A patient with a ceruminoma of the external auditory meatus is presented and the literature reviewed. The tumor is of apocrine origin, however, the histology is variable and may be confused with a primary undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Ceruminomas most often remain benign and the clinical course is frequently prolonged over many years (eight years in the case presented). A low grade invasive potential may develop after several years. Reports of frequent recurrences following local excision are believed in most instances to be related to tumor growth into anatomically and surgically inaccessible areas rather than a process of malignant degeneration.