Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in High-Grade Transformation of Head and Neck Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Collective International Review. Issue 3 (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hellquist, Henrik; Skálová, Alena; Barnes, Leon; Cardesa, Antonio; Thompson, Lester; Triantafyllou, Asterios; Williams, Michelle; Devaney, Kenneth; Gnepp, Douglas; Bishop, Justin; Wenig, Bruce; Suárez, Carlos; Rodrigo, Juan; Coca-Pelaz, Andrés; Strojan, Primož; Shah, Jatin; Hamoir, Marc; Bradley, Patrick; Silver, Carl; Slootweg, Pieter; Poorten, Vincent; Teymoortash, Afshin; Medina, Jesus; Robbins, K.; Pitman, Karen; Kowalski, Luiz; Bree, Remco; Mendenhall, William; Eloy, Jean; Takes, Robert; Rinaldo, Alessandra; Ferlito, Alfio;
• Is Part Of: Advances in therapy. Volume 33:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 357
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Adenoid cystic carcinoma -- Dedifferentiation -- Fatal outcome -- Local recurrence -- High-grade transformation -- Lymphatic metastasis -- Neck dissection -- Neoplasm recurrence -- Salivary glands; Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1007/s12325-016-0298-5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-238X

Abstract

Abstract Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is among the most common malignant tumors of the salivary glands. It is characterized by a prolonged clinical course, with frequent local recurrences, late onset of metastases and fatal outcome. High-grade transformation (HGT) is an uncommon phenomenon among salivary carcinomas and is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. In AdCC with high-grade transformation (AdCC–HGT), the clinical course deviates from the natural history of AdCC. It tends to be accelerated, with a high propensity for lymph node metastasis. In order to shed light on this rare event and, in particular, on treatment implications, we undertook this review: searching for all published cases of AdCC-HGT. We conclude that it is mandatory to perform elective neck dissection in patients with AdCC-HGT, due to the high risk of lymph node metastases associated with transformation.