How would you manage the side effects/toxicities (e.g., pain, swelling, erythema) of adjuvant EBRT to the ear for cutaneous SCC?

I have had a few patients experience acute pain in the ear canal, probably from inflammation, wet desquamation, and bacterial overgrowth. Ciprodex Otic drops x 7-10 days have been helpful.

The pain from the edema and moist desquamation (if present) can be intense. After ruling out an infection, I use Cortisporin Otic drops 4 drops every 6 hours, local astringent if moist desquamation present (such as Domeboro soaks), cold compresses, Medrol dose-pack for 5 days, and analgesics (start ...

Surprisingly, in my practice, I have not seen excessive acute toxicity while treating external ear infections in the adjuvant or definitive setting. Of course, it is also a function of dose, fractionation, and field size. Pain, swelling, and erythema are generally manageable with topical moisturizin...

Outside the ear, but when treating the ear, if fields have to be large or extended toward the face, for instance, covering preauricular nodes, patients may have acute parotiditis. Looks like they have the mumps. OTC NSAIDS can settle that down promptly.