Original Article

Prognostic factors in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands†

  1. Catherine H. McHugh MD1,2,
  2. Dianna B. Roberts PhD2,
  3. Adel K. El-Naggar MD3,
  4. Ehab Y. Hanna MD2,
  5. Adam S. Garden MD4,
  6. Merrill S. Kies MD5,
  7. Randal S. Weber MD2,
  8. Michael E. Kupferman MD2,‡,*

Article first published online: 16 DEC 2011

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26697

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 118, Issue 16, pages 3928–3936, 15 August 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

McHugh, C. H., Roberts, D. B., El-Naggar, A. K., Hanna, E. Y., Garden, A. S., Kies, M. S., Weber, R. S. and Kupferman, M. E. (2012), Prognostic factors in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands. Cancer, 118: 3928–3936. doi: 10.1002/cncr.26697

Author Information

  1. 1

    Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

  2. 2

    Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  3. 3

    Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  4. 4

    Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  5. 5

    Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  1. ‡

    Fax: (713) 794-4662

*Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1445, Houston, TX 77030

  1. †

    This work was presented at the American Head and Neck Society Annual Meeting, 2010 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting; April 28-29, 2010; Las Vegas, Nevada.

  2. ‡

    Fax: (713) 794-4662

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 AUG 2012
  2. Article first published online: 16 DEC 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 12 AUG 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 10 AUG 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 21 JUN 2011

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Keywords:

  • mucoepidermoid carcinoma;
  • salivary gland carcinoma;
  • parotid gland;
  • submandibular gland;
  • treatment intensification

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignancy of the major salivary glands. Prior reports noted histological grade and tumor stage as consistently important prognostic factors. This study reviewed the experience of patients with MEC at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to determine the impact of clinical and pathologic findings on disease outcomes.

METHODS:

A retrospective clinical review was performed of patients with salivary gland MEC treated at a tertiary cancer center from 1990 to 2007.

RESULTS:

A total of 125 patients were included. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival of all patients were 79.3% and 76.5%, respectively. Patients with low- and intermediate-grade disease had significantly better overall survival and disease-free survival than patients with high-grade disease, but no difference in survival rates was found between low- and intermediate-grade disease. Pathologic results of positive lymph nodes, extracapsular lymph node spread, and perineural invasion were all found to be poor prognostic indicators. On multivariate analysis, advanced disease stage and perineural invasion were found to be the most significant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with either low- or intermediate-grade tumors uniformly have favorable local control and survival. High histological grade, advanced stage, perineural invasion, positive surgical margins, and submandibular location all portend for poor outcomes in MEC. Further advances in therapy are needed to improve outcomes for high-grade and advanced-stage disease. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.

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