title: Systemic therapies for recurrent and/or metastatic salivary gland cancers.
abstract: Salivary gland carcinomas are rare cancers, comprising 1-5% of head and neck cancers. They represent a morphologically and clinically diverse group of tumors. The most commonly histopathologic types are mucoepidermoid cancer, adenoid cystic cancer and adenocarcinomas. Malignant salivary gland tumors generally present as painless, slow-growing tumors that are indistinguishable from benign tumors. Surgery is the principal treatment and is curative in early stage. Radiation therapy should be considered in most patients after surgical resection. Chemotherapy is reserved for palliative treatment of metastatic disease but results are disappointing. Recent studies have investigated the role of targeted therapies in a palliative setting. Multicentre cooperative group clinical trials are required to assess novel therapies to maximize patient resources in this uncommon tumor.
authors: Central Regional Hospital, Division of Medical Oncology, Bolzano, Italy. emanuela.vattemi@asbz.it
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Vattemi
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Graiff
authors: Teodoro
authors: T
authors: Sava
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Pedersini
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Caldara
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Mandarà
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069286:Bortezomib; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D000077341:Lapatinib; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D010166:Palliative Care; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D001549:Benzamides; D001897:Boronic Acids; D010879:Piperazines; D011719:Pyrazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077341:Lapatinib; D000069286:Bortezomib; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib