[Long-term results of postoperative and primary radiotherapy of carcinoma of the salivary glands: importance of dosage and target volume].

Longterm results in 92 patients after primary or postoperative irradiation for carcinoma of the major or minor salivary glands of the head are analyzed. Target volume included the region of the primary tumor; ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes were included in patients with metastases of the lymph nodes. Target doses were 25 to 35 X 2.0 Gy or in some cases 16 to 18 X 3.30 Gy. Local control was 93% in tumors of limited extension (I), 84% in extensive but macroscopically complete resected tumors (II) and 26% in biopsied or partially resected tumors (III). There were no major complications. Recurrence in the lymph nodes were observed in less than 5% of the group I + II NO and could be controlled permanently by secondary surgery plus irradiation. According to the own and published results the following target volumes are adequate: region of the primary tumor in adenoid-cystic carcinoma NO plus the ipsilateral cervical-supraclavicular region in patients with other high grade cancers or evidence for metastases. Target doses between 5940 and 7020 cGy are recommended.