Carcinoma of the major salivary glands. analysis of the role of radiation therapy

Abstract

Forty-six patients of major salivary gland tumors were retrospectively studied. There were 40 (87%) parotid and 6 (13%) sub-mandibular tumors. Patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy after a radical surgery fared much better (86%) complete response (CR) as compared to those treated for recurrent or inoperable disease (50% CR). The 5-year overall and disease free survival rates for the entire group is 70% and 34% respectively. These findings and a review of literature suggests that adjuvant post operative radition therapy is recommended to reduce the risk of post surgical recurrence. © 1999 Springer-Verlag.