Abstract
BackgroundSalivary gland cancer (SGC) is rare and a heterogeneous type of cancer. Prospective randomized trials are lacking. No guideline focusing on standard procedures of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of SGC exists. Therefore, we surveyed the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) to gain information about current therapeutic strategies of SGC.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was designed and made available on the online platform umfrageonline.com. The corresponding link was sent to all DEGRO members who provided their user data for contact purposes. Alternatively, a PDF printout version was sent. Frequency distributions of responses for each question were calculated. The data were also analyzed by type of institution.ResultsSixty-seven responses were received, including answers from 21 university departments, 22 non-university institutions, and 24 radiation oncology practices. Six participants reported that their departments (practice: n = 5, non-university hospital: n = 1) did not treat SGC, and therefore the questionnaire was not completed. Concerning radiation techniques, target volume definition, and concomitant chemotherapy, treatment strategies varied greatly among the participants. Comparing university vs. non-university institutions, university hospitals treat significantly more patients with SGC per year and initiated more molecular pathological diagnostics.ConclusionSGC represents a major challenge for clinicians, as reflected by the inhomogeneous survey results regarding diagnostics, RT approaches, and systemic therapy. Future prospective, multicenter clinical trials are warranted to improve and homogenize treatment of SGC and to individualize treatment according to histologic subtypes and risk factors.
Highlights
Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is a rare tumor entity including a variety of different histologic subtypes
In patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas (AdCC), high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation with protons or carbon ions might be beneficial in case of macroscopic residual or inoperable disease [3]
We surveyed the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) to gain information about reallife concepts regarding diagnostics and RT for SGC
Summary
Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is a rare tumor entity including a variety of different histologic subtypes. Due to the lack of prospective, randomized trials, therapeutic strategies remain controversial and no general guideline focusing on detailed recommendations for radiotherapy (RT) in SGC exists. Large retrospective studies indicated a benefit of postoperative external beam radiotherapy (PORT) in locally advanced and/or high-grade SGC [1, 2]. We surveyed the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) to gain information about reallife concepts regarding diagnostics and RT for SGC. Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is rare and a heterogeneous type of cancer. No guideline focusing on standard procedures of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of SGC exists. We surveyed the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) to gain information about current therapeutic strategies of SGC
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