Factors influencing survival of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

The uncertain long-term cure of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands was determined in 30 treated patients seen between 1952 to 1984. Ten of 25 patients received elective postoperative irradiation (SEPI) after surgical extirpation of the primary/recurrent lesion; five patients had definitive radiotherapy alone. Overall, survival rates were 60%, 30%, and 7% at five, 10, and 20 years, respectively. The incidence of local recurrence was 37%, regional recurrence 3%, and distant metastasis 37%. Fewer recurrences and distant metastases were in the SEPI group than the surgery alone group. The majority of failures occurred within 10 years after initial diagnosis of primary malignancy; most of the patients died within five years after failure(s) detection. Correlations of prognosis to site of origin, and local control to total radiotherapy dose were observed. It is concluded that cure of disease can be achieved with the use of appropriate therapy.