Adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck: Report of 20 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the clinical profile and prognostic factors in patients with adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the head and neck treated by surgery and/or radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.Methods. Data from 20 patients with stage I-II (n = 4), III (n = 5), or IVA (n = 11) head and neck ASC, treated between 1989 and 2010 were collected in a retrospective multicenter Rare Cancer Network study. Surgery was performed in 16 patients. Seventeen patients received combined modality treatment.Results. After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, 12 patients recurred. The 3-year and median overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and loco-regional control were 52% and 39 months, 32% and 12 months, and 47% and 33 months respectively. In multivariate analysis, DFS was negatively influenced by the presence of extracapsular extension and advanced stage.Conclusion. Overall prognosis of locoregionally advanced ASC remains poor. However, early stage ASC patients managed with combined modality treatment may have prolonged DFS.