Clinical study of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE

We examined prognostic factors and outcome of the primary treatment in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck.

METHODS

Twenty patients with ACC of the head and neck who had been treated in our institution from 1985 to 1998 were enrolled in this study. Disease-specific survival rate was analyzed by the Kaplan-Mejer method, and the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival rates.

RESULTS

The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis were 81 and 57%, respectively. Patients with major salivary gland ACC obtained the best 10-year survival rate (83%), while those with paranasal sinus ACC had the worst survival rate (33%). Predominance of the solid component on pathological examination might indicate a worse prognosis. Our study revealed that postoperative radiotherapy could yield better control of the lesion focus. Chemotherapy failed in some patients and was not dramatically effective by itself.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term prognosis of ACC was poor. Long-term follow-up is necessary for better prognosis of patients treated with radical treatment regimens.