Acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland in the adult and paediatric population: a survival analysis. Issue 6 (17th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sideris, Anders; Rao, Amshuman; Maher, Nigel; Parker, Andrew; Crawford, Julia; Smee, Robert; Jacobson, Ian; Gallagher, Richard
• Is Part Of: ANZ journal of surgery. Volume 91:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1233
• Page End: 1239
• Publication Date: 2020-11-17
• Subjects: acinic cell carcinoma -- adjuvant radiotherapy -- facial nerve -- head and neck cancer -- high grade -- low grade -- neck surgery -- otolaryngology head -- parotid gland tumours -- parotidectomy -- preoperative clinical facial nerve deficit -- salivary gland tumours -- survival; Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1111/ans.16421
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1445-1433

Abstract

Abstract : Acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare but important clinical entity. A high‐grade variant exists that is associated with poorer outcomes particularly in those presenting with locally advanced disease. Excellent overall and disease‐free survival is achieved by surgery as the primary treatment modality. Abstract: Background: Acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands and generally considered to be a low‐grade tumour. Surgical treatment is often curative, but a more aggressive high‐grade variant has been associated with poorer survival and propensity for distant metastasis. No standard treatment guidelines exist and the approach to treatment is varied in the published series. The aim of this study is to present the experience of three major hospitals in Sydney, Australia, in treating AcCC of the salivary gland, with a focus on clinico‐pathological features of disease and their associations with survival outcomes. Methods: Adult and paediatric cases of AcCC of the salivary gland during the time period 1979–2018 were retrospectively included. Demographic, clinico‐pathological, treatment and survival outcome data were extracted. Survival analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of clinical and pathological variables on overall and disease‐free survival. Results: Thirty‐two cases were reviewed (29 adult and three paediatric). Thirty tumours (93.8%) were parotid gland primary tumours. Mean overall and disease‐free survival was 17.0 ± 0.7 and 16.0 ± 0.9 years, respectively. Features associated with poorer survival were cT staging >1, presence of preoperative clinical facial nerve deficit and local recurrence. Positive margins were associated with recurrence. Conclusion: These data suggest that disease‐free and overall survival in AcCC of the salivary gland is excellent with surgery as the first‐line treatment. Poor survival outcomes are uncommon and may be associated with locally advanced disease in the presence of other well‐established high‐risk features.