Radiation therapy for minor salivary gland carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the outcomes of patients treated for minor salivary gland carcinoma with radiotherapy (RT), either alone or combined with surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Between September 1966 and December 2006, 140 patients were treated with curative intent at our institution for previously untreated minor salivary gland carcinomas (RT alone, 64 patients; combined RT and surgery, 76 patients). Median follow-up for all patients was 5.5 years.


RESULTS
The 10-year local control rate was 66%, and multivariate analysis revealed that treatment group (P = .0004) and T stage (P = .0001) significantly influenced this endpoint. Patients treated with RT alone had a lower local control rate than patients treated with RT and surgery. The 10-year local-regional control rate was 61%, and multivariate analysis revealed that treatment group (P = .0174), overall stage (P = .0004), and N stage (P = .0492) significantly influenced this endpoint. The 10-year distant metastasis-free survival rate was 67%, and multivariate analysis revealed that overall stage (P = .0016) significantly influenced this endpoint. The 10-year cause-specific survival rate was 56%, and multivariate analysis revealed that overall stage (P < .0001) significantly influenced this endpoint. The 10-year overall survival rate was 45%, and multivariate analysis revealed that overall stage (P = .0047), N stage (P = .0173), and nerve invasion (P = .0409) significantly influenced this endpoint.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients with minor salivary gland carcinoma were cured with RT alone or combined with surgery. Treatment group, T stage, and overall stage significantly influenced the probability of cure. Patients treated with combined surgery and RT had a better prognosis, perhaps due in part to selection bias.
Cianchetti
Marco
M
Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0385, USA.
Sandow
Pamela S
PS
Scarborough
Lauren D
LD
Morris
Christopher G
CG
Kirwan
Jessica
J
Werning
John W
JW
Mendenhall
William M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome