[Adenoid cystic carcinomas of the head and neck. Results of treatment with high-dosage radiotherapy].

Abstract

Different opinions exist about the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck. In this paper the results of 14 patients with high-dosage irradiation are reported. Radiotherapy with local curative intent was performed in all patients. 10/14 patients were irradiated post-operatively. 4/14 patients received radiation therapy alone. By percutaneous irradiation (n = 13) focal doses of 80 Gy were applied, by interstitial irradiation (n = 1) 70 Gy. Despite the less favourable patient group - 8/14 patients had either a T3- or T4-tumour; 5/14 patients were referred because of recurrent disease - local tumour control could be achieved in all cases after a mean observation time of 3.5 years. Together with newer reports of literature we consider adenoid cystic carcinomas of salivary gland origin as locally curable by postoperative high-dosage radiotherapy.