Chemoradiotherapy for maxillary sinus adenoid cystic carcinoma using superselective intra-arterial infusion via a superficial temporal artery

Elective neck dissection in patients with head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma: an international collaborative study

BACKGROUND

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) accounts for 3-5 % of all head and neck malignancies. Investigations of outcomes from elective neck dissection (END) for patients with ACC are sparse. This study aimed to assess the impact of END on the survival of patients with ACC.

METHODS

This retrospective multicentered study investigated 270 patients who underwent neck dissection. A multivariate analysis assessed associations of clinical and histopathologic characteristics with survival outcomes.

RESULTS

The primary tumor sites included the oral cavity in 250 patients (55 %), the major salivary glands in 133 patients (29 %), the sinonasal mucosa in 68 patients (15 %), and the larynx in six patients (1 %). The overall rate of occult nodal metastases among the patients who underwent END was 17 % (38/226). The highest incidence of occult nodal metastases was with the oral cavity (66 %). The 5-year overall survival (72 and 79 % for patients with or without END, respectively) and disease-specific survival (74 and 81 % for patients with or without END, respectively) were similar in the two groups. The subgroup analysis of patients according to the primary site showed no significant impact of END on outcome. In the multivariate analysis, primary site, T classification, and N classification were the only variables associated with outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of occult neck metastases among patients with ACC is 17 %. The highest incidence of occult metastases is with the oral cavity. Statistical analysis showed no survival advantage for patients who underwent END compared with those who did not.

Incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis and its association with outcomes in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma. An international collaborative study

BACKGROUND

The patterns of regional metastasis in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck and its association with outcome is not established.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicentered multivariate analysis of 270 patients who underwent neck dissection.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of neck metastases was 29%. The rate observed in the oral cavity is 37%, and in the major salivary glands is 19% (p = .001). The rate of occult nodal metastases was 17%. Overall 5-year survival rates were 44% in patients undergoing therapeutic neck dissections, and 65% and 73% among those undergoing elective neck dissections, with and without nodal metastases, respectively (p = .017). Multivariate analysis revealed that the primary site, nodal classification, and margin status were independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the consideration of elective neck treatment in patients with ACC of the oral cavity.