Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinomas: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there was any difference in the clinical and pathologic features, management, and survival outcomes based on tumor site for salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective chart review of 63 salivary ACC patients. These patients were subclassified into 2 groups, the minor salivary glands group (MiSGG) and the major salivary glands group (MaSGG).

RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 69.6 months, the overall 5-year locoregional failure-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 83.1%, 74.9%, 84.7%, and 89.1%, respectively. Compared with MaSGG patients, MiSGG patients were characterized by a trend toward higher T classification (P = .054). In multivariate analysis, age, T classification, and radiotherapy were independent factors for OS, whereas N classification, margin status, and tumor site (minor or major salivary glands) were observed to be independent prognostic factors for CSS.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with MaSGG patients, MiSGG patients were characterized by a trend toward higher T classification. Tumor site (minor or major salivary glands) was observed to be an independent prognostic factor for CSS of salivary ACC.