OP148: Salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis: A preliminary study of 62 cases

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an infrequent malignant neoplasm that originates most commonly in the major and minor salivary glands. The purpose of this study is to provide new information on salivary glands adenoid cystic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis. Based on 616 patients who underwent primary tumor resection from 1995 to 2008, 62 cases with cervical lymph node metastasis were chosen and analyzed accordingly. General incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis was approximately 10%.The base of tongue, mobile tongue and mouth floor were the most three frequent sites reporting lymph nodes metastasis, with incidences of 19.2%, 17.6% and 15.3% respectively. Majority of cases occurred via a classic “tunnel-style” metastasis and the level Ib and II regions were the most frequently involved regions. Primary site and lymphovascular invasion were found to be significantly associated with lymph nodes metastasis. High patient mortality was also significantly correlated with lymph node positive cases. Tongue-mouth floor complex have a high propensity for lymph node metastasis, which occurs through a classic “tunnel-style” metastasis. Peritumoral lymphovascular invasion could be taken as strong predictor for lymph node metastasis, which ultimately leads to poor prognosis of ACC patient. Selective neck dissection should be performed in such cases.