[Basal cell carcinoma developing in a preauricular fistula (author's transl)].

Malignant neoplasms in lateral cervical cysts and fistulae have been frequently described in the literature. In the following case, a tumor is reported which was found in the unusual localization of a preauricular fistula. The histologic diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma. In this 41-year-old male patient the tumor led to local recurrent inflammatory symptoms. Therapy consisted first of excision of the fistula. After final diagnosis was made, total parotidectomy and an additional excision of the skin were carried out.