Survival and prognosis of metastatic head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of patients with metastatic head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (HNACC).

METHOD: The clinical data of metastatic HNACC from 1999 to 2020 at the National Cancer Center of China were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-four patients with metastatic HNACC were enrolled and median overall survival (OS) was 45.6 months. Univariate analysis indicated that smoking history, disease-free interval (DFI), number and sites of metastases, and systemic therapy were associated with OS. In the multivariate analysis, non-smokers, DFI ≥3 years, and lung metastasis were prognostic factors. Local therapy for localized disease could prolong survival in patients with both recurrent and metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

No smoking history, DFI ≥3 years, and lung metastasis were favorable prognostic factors. Local therapy for metastases could not provide survival benefits, but local therapy for localized disease may prolong survival. Whether initial systemic therapy could improve prognosis needs further exploration.