Malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the larynx.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience in treating patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the larynx.


METHODS
Thirty-three-year retrospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center specializing in head and neck surgery.


METHODS
Twelve patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the larynx were identified from a search of the institutional databases and pathology records at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, between the years 1970 and 2003. All slides were independently reviewed by 2 pathologists (R.G. and D.C.). Details on patient and tumor characteristics, as well as treatment and surgical outcome, were recorded.


RESULTS
Ten patients (83%) had adenoid cystic carcinoma and 2 (17%) had myoepithelial carcinoma. Five (42%) were located in the supraglottis and 7 (58%) in the subglottis. Ten (83%) had surgery (6 with adjuvant radiotherapy) and 2 (17%) were treated with radiotherapy alone. Of the 10 patients who had surgery, total laryngectomy was required in 6 (60%), supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy in 2 (20%), and cricotracheal resection in 2 (20%). With a median follow-up of 55 months (range, 1-194 months), 10 patients are alive, 6 of whom have no evidence of disease. Seven patients (58%) developed recurrent disease, 2 of whom had local recurrence alone, 1 had regional recurrence alone, 3 had distant recurrence alone, and 1 had local and distant recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Up to 60% of patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the larynx will develop recurrent disease locally, regionally, or at distant sites. In adenoid cystic carcinoma, regional recurrence is rare, but distant recurrence is common and may occur up to 10 years after the index therapy. For both adenoid cystic and myoepithelial carcinoma, partial surgery is possible in selected cases, but because of the high propensity for submucosal spread and perineural and lymphovascular invasion, total laryngectomy is usually recommended.
Ganly
Ian
I
Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Patel
Snehal G
SG
Coleman
Maria
M
Ghossein
Ronald
R
Carlson
Diane
D
Shah
Jatin P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome