Understanding basal cell adenocarcinoma of the head and neck: Population-based study

Head Neck. 2022 Feb;44(2):483-493. doi: 10.1002/hed.26955. Epub 2021 Dec 27.

Abstract

Background: Using a population-based database, this study investigates the risk factors, epidemiology, and outcomes of basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC) of the head and neck.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was analyzed for all patients with BCAC of the head and neck from 1973 to 2015.

Results: Three hundred and twenty-two cases of BCAC of the head and neck were identified. Mean age of diagnosis was 64.1 years. 52.5% were male and 77.3% were white. The most common primary site was the parotid gland (71.7%). Most patients underwent surgery alone (51.9%). Five-year disease-specific survival (5Y-DSS) was 95.6%, and 10Y-DSS was 90.3%. Highest survival was seen with surgery alone followed by combined surgery and radiation (10Y-DSS: 93.9% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.001). Age, primary site, T-classification, grade, and treatment type significantly affected survival.

Conclusions: BCAC of the head and neck presents most frequently in the parotid glands. Surgery alone is associated with highest survival.

Keywords: adenocarcinoma; basal; head and neck; nationwide; otolaryngology.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma* / epidemiology
  • Adenocarcinoma* / therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / pathology
  • Parotid Gland / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / pathology