[Results in combined hyperthermia/radiotherapy of adenoid cystic carcinomas compared with conventional treatment]

158 patients with advanced malignancies of the head and neck area were treated by a combined hyperthermia/radiotherapy since 1972. 16 were adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Their treatment results are compared with 28 ACC after radiotherapy alone. All 16 patients with hyperthermia achieved a complete remission. CR in 28 ACC-patients without hyperthermia was 61%. 113 patients with hyperthermia-treated squamous cell carcinomas had a comparatively low CR-rate of 49%. Five-year-survival on the other hand was 50% for ACC after hyperthermia, 57% after a planned postoperative radiation without hyperthermia and 37.5% after a radiotherapy alone in cases of inoperability. The combination of hyperthermia and radiotherapy is indicated in cases of advanced inoperable ACC and leads to a high percentage of local tumour control.