Clinical study on 72 cases of adenoid cystic Carcinoma

We reviewed 72 cases treated in our hospital for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck during the 37 years between 1972 and 2009. The disease-specific survival rate at 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 76%, 70%, 46%, 33%, and 33%, respectively so survival rate had decreased gradually to 15 years. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of primary site, but T3 & T4 disease indicated a worse prognosis, and patients with lymph node positive findings tended to have a worse prognosis. The loco-regional control rate was 65% at 5 years, but after that, it continued to decrease, and the loco-regional control rate at 15 years was 31%. In addition, the median of the period for loco-regional recurrence was 93 months, with the longest time being 168 months. The relatively long lapse was traced to recurrence. The rate of absence of distant metastasis was 54% at 5 years, but after that, it continued to decrease, with the rate at 20 years was being 22%. The median time of survival after patients tested positive for distant metastasis was 25 months, with longest recognized period being 216 months. The long term prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma is generally poor, so a long term follow-up is necessary.