[The value of radiation therapy in the management of adenoid-cystic carcinoma of the head and neck]

Abstract

There are different opinions about the importance of radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid-cystic carcinomas. A report is given on the experiences gained with highdose radiotherapy in twelve patients suffering from adenoid-cystic carcinomas. In spite of the unfavorable composition of the group of patients (6/12 were classified stage T3 or T4, 5/12 were only irradiated after a local recurrence had appeared), local tumor control was achieved in all patients by percutaneous irradiation with a focal dose of 80 Gy or interstitial irradiation with a focal dose of 70 Gy. On the basis of these results as well as of recent communications in literature, it is concluded that adenoid-cystic carcinomas can be locally cured by radiotherapy.