MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE MIDDLE EAR AND THE MASTOID PROCESS

Abstract

Any malignant neoplastic process involving the middle ear and the mastoid process has generally been considered almost a pathologic curiosity. Moreover, the condition has been almost universally supposed to respond unfavorably to therapeutic measures. Actually, it occurs less rarely than the medical literature would lead one to believe, and if it is recognized reasonably early and is dealt with adequately, the prognosis is as satisfactory as that generally offered by cancers of the nasal accessory sinuses. LITERATURE The literature on malignant tumors of the middle ear and the mastoid process is not extensive. The largest series of cases reported (13) is that of Thorell,¹ presented with a consideration of the treatment of this condition at Radiumhemmet. Outstanding articles on this subject in the American literature have been written by Furstenberg,² Schall³ and Spencer.⁴ In addition, reports of cases have been presented by Robinson,⁵ Bowman,⁶ Smith,⁷ Newhart,⁸ Stokes,⁹ Fraser¹⁰ and others.