[Adenoid cystic carcinoma in the head and neck: clinical and pathologic review]

19 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the minor and major salivary glands were analysed clinicopathologically. Majority (8) of the tumours originated in the parotid gland. The palate was the most common location among the tumour of the minor salivary glands. The tumours were classified by their histology patterns into three groups: I tubular and cribriform pattern, II cribriform with less than 30% of solid pattern, III solid forms. A positive correlation between increasing grade and aggressive behavior was not observed in our study. All patients were treated with surgery. Eight of them received postsurgical radiation therapy. Recurrence of disease at the primary site occurred in 5 of 19 patients. Distant metastases developed in 3 patients. An adequate surgical excision of the tumour yields optimal local control and survival rates.