Background A series of temporal bone squamous cell carcinomas (TBSCCs) was analyzed with the aim of (i) better understanding the causes for the persistent high failure rate in advanced SCCs and (ii) discussing a possible way out from this stalemate in treatment. Methods Forty‐five TBSCCs consecutively treated surgically were reviewed. Results The 5‐year cumulative incidence for postoperative local recurrence was 41.8%. At multivariable analysis, pT3‐4 stages were associated with eightfold relative incidence of developing local recurrence during follow‐up (sHR = 9.06, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.18–69.46, p = 0.034) and cause‐specific death (sHR = 7.95, 95%CI = 1.01–62.27, p = 0.048). Conclusions The poor outcome in advanced TBSCC occurred because of local recurrence due to defective resection. The fundamental pitfall of surgery on advanced TBSCC appeared to be the insufficient knowledge of microscopic tumor growth in the different sites and subsites of the temporal bone. The serial histopathological study of the en bloc surgical specimen and autopsy temporal bones seems to represent a way to enhance our understanding of these tumors.