Rhabdomyosarcoma of the ear‐mastoid

The authors present five cases of rhabdomyosarcoma of the ear‐mastoid region and review the literature (73 cases) in an attempt to determine why therapy is so frequently unsuccessful. Spread to the nasopharynx and cranial cavity accounts for a significant proportion of “local failures”; also cervical node metastases occur in a significant number of cases. The authors recommend postoperative radiotherapy, at least 5,000 rads in five weeks (NSD = 1575 rets) to a large volume comprising the primary site, nasopharynx, a generous portion of the ipsilateral mid and posterior cranial cavity, and upper ipsilateral neck. Chemotherapy is also an important adjuvant in the management of these patients.