[Maxillofacial adenoid cystic carcinoma. Retrospective clinical study of 51 cases]

The clinical behavior of 51 adenoid cystic carcinomas of the salivary glands demonstrated a protracted and partly insidious course of disease with obstinately recurring tumors and a high tendency for distant metastases. The tumors are mainly localized in the minor salivary glands, invasion and growth along adjoining nerves are characteristic of these tumors. With increasing size of the tumor the prognosis significantly deteriorates. The treatment of choice is radical surgery, possibly combined with irradiation. A treatment of both the primary tumor and the recurrent tumor is of benefit in the presence of distant metastases, because the latter remains clinically symptomless for years. Because of the protraction of the disease the importance of early detection of these tumors is pointed out.