Results of fast neutron therapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.
BACKGROUND
Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) seem to have a better response to fast neutron irradiation than to photon beam therapy because of the higher relative biological effectiveness of neutron radiation.


METHODS
Between 1986 and 1995, 72 patients with ACC of the salivary glands were treated in Münster with fast neutrons. The median age was 54 years. All the patients had either recurrent or macroscopic rest tumor prior to neutron therapy. The median total dose was 15.03 Gy. Median follow-up was 50 months.


RESULTS
39.1% of the patients achieved a complete remission and 48.6% a partial remission. The survival probability was 86% after one year, 73% after two years and 53% after five years. The recurrence-free survival was 83% after one year, 71% after two years and 45% after five years.


CONCLUSIONS
Neutron beam therapy seems to have been an effective treatment in these selected patients.
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University of Munster, 48129 Münster, Germany.
F J
FJ
Prott
O
O
Micke
U
U
Haverkamp
N
N
Willich
P
P
Schüller
R
R
Pötter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed