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

ObjectiveTo 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 DesignThis 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).ResultsWith 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.ConclusionsCompared 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.