Clinical and pathological studies on adenoid cystic carcinoma originating from the salivary gland. Recurrence and lymph node and distant metastases.

Fifteen patients who were treated for adenoid cystic carcinoma in our departmentduring the 22 years between July 1971 and July 1993 were studied with respect to local recurrence, lymph node and the distant metastases and factors related to these phenomena.The results were as follows:1. Local recurrence occurred in 53.3% of the patients. The primary site, local extension, and the presence of tumor at the surgical margin were related to local recurrence. The interval from operation to local recurrence ranged from 3 months to 9 years one month. Factors affecting to the time to local recurrence were the primary site, T category, stage grouping, local extension, histologic grade, and the presence of tumor at the surgical margin.2. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 26.7% of the patients. Factors such as the primary site, T category and histologic grade were considered to be related to lymph no e metastasis.3. Distant metastasis occurred in 66.7% of the patients. Metastasis developed most frequency in lung followed by bone, and uterus. The primary site was suggested to be related to distant metastasis. The time of confirming distant metastasis ranged from the first visit and to 13 years two months. Distant metastasis was related to the histologic grade. The interval from the detection of lung metastasis to death was related to local extension.