OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in salivary gland and its influencing factors.

METHODSClinical and following-up data of 76 patients with ACC in salivary glands were reviewed. Major gland tumors represented 35.5% whereas minor gland tumors comprised 64.5% of the cohort, with 8 cases (10.5%) in stage I, 23 (30.3%) in stage II, 18 (23.7%) in stage III and 27(35.5%) in stage IV. Survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Merier method. Cumulative survival curves were evaluated using the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSThe regional recurrence rate was 28.9% and distant metastasis rate was 21.1%. The overall 5-year survival rate, tumor-free survival rate and tumor-related survival rate were 73.7%, 61.8% and 74.9% respectively. The overall 10-year survival rate, tumor-free survival rate and tumor-related survival rate were 48.2%, 39.8% and 56.2% respectively. Univariate survival analysis showed pathological type, clinical stage and perineural invasion were relevant to the prognosis of ACC and multivariate analysis showed they were the independent prognostic factors of ACC in salivary gland.

CONCLUSIONSClinical stage, pathological type and perineural invasion were the independent prognostic factors for adenoid cystic carcinoma in salivary gland. Surgery was the first choice for the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma in salivary gland, and postoperative radiotherapy may prolong the tumor-free survival time of patients in stage III and IV.