Primary adenocarcinoma of the middle ear and temporal bone

Primary adenocarcinoma of the temporal bone is a rare disorder. Fewer than 40 cases have been reported in the English literature, most of these being single case reports. Exclusion of metastatic adenocarcinoma is imperative. Adenocarcinomas must be differentiated from benign adenomas. Adenocarcinomas are best managed by aggressive surgical resection, with postoperative irradiation used in cases of incomplete resection or high-grade tumors.