[Factors influencing survival rate in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands].

OBJECTIVE

To study factors influencing survival rate of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the salivary glands.

METHODS

One hundred and twelve cases were followed up for move than ten years and were studied to investigate factors influencing the survival rate of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using a computer program (Survcalc, John Wiley Co.). The data were statistically treated for survival curves according to the kaplan-meier method. The log rank tests were employed to assess the statistical significance of various groups.

RESULTS

The age of the patients younger than 50 years old, early clinical stage, glandular/tubular histological type and tumor without nerve involvement had the best prognosis. Age of the patients older than 50 years old, ACC in the submandibular gland, advanced clinical stage (stage III and IV), solid histological type and tumor with nerve involvement had a poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Age of the patients, tumour site, clinical stage, histological type and with or without nerve involvement are the important factors influencing the prognosis.