The efficacy of superselective intra-arterial infusion with concomitant radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck

Conclusions: Superselective intra-arterial cisplatin infusion with concomitant radiotherapy (RADPLAT) is considered to be one of the treatments of choice for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) who prefer not to undergo radical surgery. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of RADPLAT for patients with ACC of the head and neck. Patients and methods: Between 2001-2010, nine patients with untreated ACC were given superselective intra-arterial infusion of cisplatin (100-120 mg/m(2)/ week) with simultaneous intravenous infusion of thiosulfate to neutralize cisplatin toxicity and radiotherapy (65-70 Gy). Results: Five patients had tumors arising in the base of the tongue, two in the maxillary sinus, and the remaining two in the nasopharynx. The median follow-up period was 9 years 7 months (9; 7) (range = 4; 6-12; 5), and the 5-year local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival rates were 88.9%, 88.9%, and 55.6%, respectively. The 10-year OS rate was 57.1%, but all patients who remained alive for over 10 years are still alive with disease. Primary tumor recurrence was observed in five of the nine patients, with the median time to recurrence being 6 years (range = 4-9 years). Five of the nine patients had distant metastasis, and of these three patients also had primary recurrence.