Radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of radiotherapy (RT) alone or combined with surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma.


METHODS
Between September 1966 and November 2001, 101 previously untreated patients were treated with curative intent with RT alone or combined with surgery. Follow-up ranged from 0.4 to 30.6 years (median, 6.6 years). All living patients had follow-up for at least 1 year.


RESULTS
The 5- and 10-year rates of local control were as follows: RT alone, 56% and 43%; surgery and RT, 94% and 91%; and overall, 77% and 69%. Multivariate analysis of local control revealed that T stage (p=.0101) and treatment group (p=.0008) significantly influenced this endpoint. The 5- and 10-year rates of distant metastases-free survival were 80% and 73%. The 5- and 10-year absolute survival rates were as follows: RT alone, 57% and 42%; surgery and RT, 77% and 55%; and overall, 68% and 49%. Multivariate analysis of absolute survival revealed that T stage (p=.0043) and clinical nerve invasion (p=.0011) significantly influenced this endpoint. The 5- and 10-year cause-specific survival rates were as follows: RT alone, 65% and 48%; surgery and RT, 81% and 71%; and overall, 74% and 61%. Multivariate analysis revealed that T stage (p=.0008) and clinical nerve invasion (p=.0005) significantly influenced cause-specific survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The optimal treatment for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma is surgery and adjuvant RT. A significant proportion of patients with incompletely resectable disease are cured after RT alone. Improvements in locoregional control are offset, in part, by the relatively high incidence of distant metastases.
Mendenhall
William M
WM
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, P O Box 100385, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0385, USA. mendewil@shands.ufl.edu
Morris
Christopher G
CG
Amdur
Robert J
RJ
Werning
John W
JW
Hinerman
Russell W
RW
Villaret
Douglas B
DB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome