Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated data pertaining to the history, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of a series of patients treated for acinic cell carcinoma (ACC).
Patients and methods: Data were based on the records of 35 patients. Follow-up was done by analyzing their records and contacting the referring doctors.
Results: In 71% of the ACC patients, painful swelling of the lateral region of the face was the main symptom. Facial paralysis occurred in 11% of cases before treatment. Tumor recurrence after therapy was noted in 42% of cases. Highly differentiated ACC was the most frequent histologic subtype (74%). The grade of differentiation of the tumor was decisive for the prognosis. Highly differentiated ACC had a better prognosis (2 years overall survival, 100%; 5 years overall survival, 83%; 10 years overall survival, 50%) than lowly differentiated tumors (2 years overall survival, 70%; 5 years overall survival, 50%; 10 years overall survival, 30%).
Conclusion: ACC is a rare tumor located mainly in the parotid gland that is characterized by some special attributes. Surgery is the therapy of choice. Prognosis depends mainly on the histologic subtype.