Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands: a retrospective series of 29 cases and review of the literature

Jonathan W Shum; Ioannis Chatzistefanou; Mohammed Qaisi; Joshua E Lubek; Robert A Ord

doi:10.1016/j.oooo.2015.10.003

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor salivary glands: a retrospective series of 29 cases and review of the literature

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016 Mar;121(3):210-4. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.10.003. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Authors

Jonathan W Shum¹, Ioannis Chatzistefanou², Mohammed Qaisi³, Joshua E Lubek⁴, Robert A Ord⁵

Affiliations

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: Jonathan.shum@uth.tmc.edu.
² Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
³ Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, USA.
⁴ Assistant Professor and Fellowship Director Oral, Head and Neck Surgery/Microvascular Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry and Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁵ Professor and Chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry and Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.

PMID: 26686954
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.10.003

Abstract

Objective: Approximately 78% of minor salivary gland tumors are malignant, of which adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) represents 15% in our series. ACC is an uncommon tumor characterized by slow growth and a high potential for recurrence. This series of 29 consecutive patients examines clincopathologic features, management, and survival outcomes.

Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of 29 patients with ACC of the minor salivary glands in a period of 23 years (1989 and 2012).

Results: The mean age was 61.2 years (16-89 years), with no gender predilection. The majority occurred in the palate/maxilla (66%) and initial presentation was stage IV. Mean follow-up was 42.6 months. Recurrence rate was 10% local, 14% distant over the observation period.

Conclusions: The palate/maxilla is the preferred location for occurrence, and initial presentation at stage IV is common. Postoperative radiation remains a common strategy to prevent local recurrence in lesions with adverse features.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology*
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / therapy*
Female
Humans
Male
Maryland
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
Retrospective Studies
Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
Salivary Gland Neoplasms / therapy*
Salivary Glands, Minor / pathology*
Survival Rate
Treatment Outcome