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Background: Improvements can be made in the management and staging of advanced pre‐auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). We aimed to analyze radiological patterns of spread and clinico‐anatomical prognostic factors. Methods: Retrospective review of 54 patients with pre‐auricular cSCC (cutaneous/nodal) who underwent temporal bone resection with curative intent. Results: Involvement of the cartilaginous external auditory canal (EAC) (79.6%) and retromandibular space (63.0%) was common. Styloid process/anterior carotid sheath (ACS) (11.1%) and bony EAC (7.4%) involvement were rare. ACS involvement resulted in high rates of involved surgical margins (100%) and poor outcomes on univariable analysis. Negative prognostic factors on multivariable analysis included salvage surgery and invasion of the bony EAC, mandible, pterygoid muscle(s), and dura. Conclusion: The bony EAC and ACS can form temporary barriers to tumor spread, with the latter representing a potential limit of resectability. Prognostic factors revealed can lead to the development of a more appropriate staging tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]