[Prognostic factors in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands].
OBJECTIVE
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare tumor which is characterized by its long clinical history, with multiple recurrences and late distant metastasis. The aim of the present study is to show our experience in the management of this tumor and the relationship of different clinico-pathological parameters with its prognosis.


METHODS
A retrospective study was carried out between 1984 and 2004 in 28 patients with ACC of the salivary glands, analyzing the most outstanding clinico-pathological variables in this tumor related to the prognosis of the tumor and the survival.


RESULTS
The overall survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 88%, 69% and 52% respectively. Ten (36%) patients presented local recurrence and 10 (36%) presented distant metastasis (four of which also have local recurrence). Although the differences were not statistically significant, the patients with solid histological subtype (p=0.17), with positive margins status (p=0.2), with perineural invasion (p=0.59), and those treated with surgery alone (p=0.19), presented a worse survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms that the ACC is a tumor with a high tendency to local recurrence and development of distant metastasis, even long term, which means a close follow-up for life. Nevertheless, it also demonstrates that acceptable survival rates can be obtained with aggressive treatment.
Sequeiros Santiago
G
G
Servicio de ORL. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias. gsequeiros_orl@hotmail.com
Rodrigo Tapia
J P
JP
Llorente Pendás
J L
JL
Suárez Nieto
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate