[Adenoid cystic carcinomas of the head and neck. Results of treatment with high-dosage radiotherapy].

Different opinions exist about the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck. In this paper the results of 14 patients with high-dosage irradiation are reported. Radiotherapy with local curative intent was performed in all patients. 10/14 patients were irradiated post-operatively. 4/14 patients received radiation therapy alone. By percutaneous irradiation (n = 13) focal doses of 80 Gy were applied, by interstitial irradiation (n = 1) 70 Gy. Despite the less favourable patient group - 8/14 patients had either a T3- or T4-tumour; 5/14 patients were referred because of recurrent disease - local tumour control could be achieved in all cases after a mean observation time of 3.5 years. Together with newer reports of literature we consider adenoid cystic carcinomas of salivary gland origin as locally curable by postoperative high-dosage radiotherapy.