Malignant Salivary Gland Tumours - a single centre experience

Abstract

Objectives: Salivary gland malignancies are an uncommon and heterogeneous group of cancers. We report our experience of clinicopathological variables that affect survival in patients treated by curative intent with surgery at a UK institution over a period of 15 years. Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Single centre study Participants We included 108 patients with malignant salivary gland tumours treated by curative intent with surgery from 2004 to 2019. Main outcome measures: The association between clinicopathological factors and their impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: 77 (71.3%) presented with early pT classification and 81 (75%) of were node-negative. The parotid was the commonest site of malignancy (86, 79.6%). Perineural invasion (PNI) was present in 40 (37%) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) was present in 20 (18.5%). 63 (58.3%) underwent adjuvant therapy. Median follow up was 36 months. Five-year OS and DFS were 81.7% and 71%. Age ?50, pT classification 3-4, high tumour grade, PNI, and advanced TNM stage were all associated with worse OS and DFS, and LVI with worse DFS. There was no survival difference between a close (1-<5 mm) or negative ([?]5 mm) resection margin. Conclusions: Age >50 years, advanced TNM stage, PNI and LVI are predictors of poor DFS. There was no difference in OS or DFS between patients with negative and close resection margins, indicating that close margins may be adequate for maintaining good oncologic outcomes in this group of patients.