Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx: a 40-year experience

Abstract

Background: Laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease. We reviewed our experience at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) with its treatment.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 15 cases treated at PMH between 1963 and 2005.

Results: The mean age was 48.6 years. There was no sex predilection. The subglottis was the most common subsite involved. Only 2 patients had regional metastasis. Local or regional recurrence was noted in 5 patients (33.3%). The distant metastasis rate was 66.7% and involved the lungs. The median follow-up time was 6.9 years. The 5- and 10-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 64% and 46%, and 69% and 49%, respectively.

Conclusion: Laryngeal ACC is a rare disease with a high rate of distant recurrence. Its management should emphasize maximizing local and regional disease control by surgery followed by radiotherapy with distant disease failure eventually dictating survival.