Concurrent chemoradiation for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck

Background We performed a retrospective review of patients with nonresected head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Methods Sixteen patients (nasopharynx 7, oropharynx 4, trachea 3, oral and nasal cavity 1 each) were treated at 3 tertiary care centers. Six patients received intraarterial cisplatin and 10 received intravenous cisplatin or carboplatin concurrently with radiation. Results Thirteen patients are alive, 7 without signs of disease with a median follow-up of 61 months. Tumor progression was noted in 8 patients (50%) (distant metastasis in 5 patients and local tumor progression in 3 patients) with a median time to progression of 25 months (range, 4-52 months). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local progression-free survival (LPFS) rates at 5 years were 87%, 39%, and 61%, respectively. Conclusion Concurrent chemoradiation is a feasible treatment option and may lead to sustained locoregional tumor control in patients with nonresected ACC of the head and neck.