Management of Non-High-Risk Salivary Gland Carcinomas With Surgery Alone

Background Risk stratification and appropriate treatment selection are essential for the management of head and neck malignancies, in order to optimize long-term outcomes. Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) pose a particular challenge due to their extensive biologic heterogeneity. Primary surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment; however, outcomes with single modality therapy for 'non-high-risk' lesions are less elucidated in the literature present on the subject. We present our experience with non-high-risk salivary gland malignancies treated by surgery alone. Methods A retrospective analysis of SGCs from 1998-2011 was completed after receiving Institutional Review Board approval. Patient demographic, tumor, treatment, and outcome data were obtained from chart review. The primary outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results Of the 62 patients identified, 49 patients underwent resection of the primary tumor alone, while an ipsilateral selective neck dissection was included for 13 patients. The median follow-up was 5.05 years. Of the tumors, 79% were low-intermediate grade, 3% high grade, and 17% poorly classified. The OS and RFS were 91% and 87% at five years and 80% and 79% at 10 years, respectively. The combined failure rate of local, regional, and distance was 13%. Conclusion Surgery alone is an appropriate treatment strategy for patients with non-high-risk salivary gland malignancy, affording a high likelihood of long-term RFS and OS.