The effect of radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck arising in minor salivary glands.

Eighteen cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands are reviewed. Noteworthy in the history is the report of pain at the site of the lesion which radiates elsewhere, or of numbers or tingling in its area. Radiation therapy is as able to control the primary as local surgery. Involvement of a much wider field than is required to treat the primary may control the perineural spread common to this tumor and avoid the massive procedures necessary to cure it by surgical means. Metastases to the lung, bone, and brain by venous spread can probably be avoided only by early diagnosis.