Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the subglottic region

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies of the minor salivary glands in the head and neck. However, adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx is very rare, with less than 75 cases reported in the literature. We present three cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the subglottic region with 6-year, 9-year, and 18-year follow-up, respectively. The literature on adenoid cystic carcinoma of the subglottic area is reviewed. Symptoms of long duration, slow progressive growth with tendency for local recurrence, and eventual development of pulmonary metastasis is common. Five-year survival statistics do not appear as relevant as 10- and 20-year survival rates in this entity because of the often slow but pernicious nature of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the subglottic area. Despite aggressive therapy, the disease often leads to the eventual death of the patient. In our series one patient died, and two patients are alive and free of disease. The evaluation, treatment, and clinical course of this disease is discussed.