THE EXTERNAL ear is made up of a thin layer of elastic fibrocartilage covered with skin, which is thin and closely adherent to the enclosed cartilage. Very fine hair follicles and small sebaceous glands are contained in the skin.
Carcinoma of the skin occurs frequently after the age of 55. It is usually commoner in men than in women and occurs seven times more often in white than in Negro persons. Although the actual cause of malignant growths of the skin is unknown, they arise particularly in the exposed parts, as the ears, face, and hands. Not only sunlight, but any radioactive element predisposes to malignancy. The action of roentgen rays is well known in this relation.
Squamous-cell carcinomas occur most often on the lower lip, the nose being second in frequency and the ear third. The characteristic primary lesion is a small papule or nodule which enlarges with rapidity