CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF RECURRENCE FOR ACINIC CELL-CARCINOMA

The biological behaviour of acinic cell carcinomas, even if well diffe rentiated, is unpredictable. We studied 45 patients with acinic cell c arcinoma followed-up from 10 to 379 months (5 year recurrence-free and survival rate of 69% and 81% respectively), and compared clinico-path ological parameters with outcome. The presence of a predominately soli d architecture was strongly associated with a poor outcome(P < 0.01) a nd this was the only independent prognostic variable when log rank tes ting was performed. Tumour size (>2.75 cm) was a significant predictor of recurrent deep parotid lobe involvement, the presence of cervical nodal disease and lymphocytic infiltration, although not significant, factors showed a tendency towards recurrence. For acinic cell carcinom a, the predominant solid architecture would appear to be a strong pred ictor of recurrence.