Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a distinctive malignant neoplasm generally arising from minor salivary glands, that arises infrequently as a primary tumor in the lung. Surgery has been considered the primary treatment, with radiotherapy generally utilized as adjuvant or palliative treatment. We report a patient in whom primary radiotherapy was sucessfully applied to treat adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the distal trachea, carina, and both main stem bronchi. A total dose of 66 Gy was delivered in 2-Gy fractions over a 7-week period. Clinically and histologically complete remission was achieved without evidence of disease during a 27-month follow up.

Keywords:
Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Tracheal carcinoma, Pulmonary carcinoma, Primary radiation theray
1.
Moran CA, Suster S, Koss M: Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung. Cancer 1994;73:1390–1397.
2.
Carter D, Eggleston JC: Tumours of the lower respiratory tract. AFIP Fasciole 1980;17:199–202.
3.
Grillo HC, Mathisen DJ: Primary tracheal tumours: Treatment and results. Ann Thorac Surg 1990;49:69–77.
4.
Fields JN, Gilbert R, Emami BN: Primary tumours of the trachea. Cancer 1989;63:2429–2433.
5.
Regnard JF, Fouquier P, Levasseur P: Results and prognostic factors in resection of primary tracheal tumours: A multicenter retrospective study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;111:808–814.
6.
Cheung AYC: Radiotherapy for primary carcinoma of the trachea. Radiother Oncol 1989;14:279–285.
7.
Pearson FG, Todd TJR, Cooper JD: Experience with primary neoplasms of the trachea and carina. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1984;88:511–518.
8.
Mathisen DJ: Primary tracheal tumour management. Surg Oncol Clin North Am 1999;8:307.
9.
Gelder CM, Hetzel MR: Primary tracheal tumours: A national survey. Thorax 1993;48:688–692.
10.
Chow DC, Komaki R, Libshitz HI, Mountain CF, Ellerbroeck N: Treatment of primary neoplasms of the trachea. Cancer 1993;71:2946–2952.
11.
Makarewicz R, Mross M: Radiation therapy alone in the treatment of tumours of the trachea. Lung Cancer 1998;20:169–174.
12.
Mornex F, Coquard R, Danhier S, Maignon R, EI Husseini G, Van Houtte P: Role of radiation therapy in the treatment of primary tracheal carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1998:41:299–305.
13.
Chao MW, Smith JG, Laidlaw C, Joon DL, Ball D: Results of treating primary tumors of the trachea with radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1998;41:779–785.
14.
Jeremic B, Shibamoto Y, Acimovic L, Milisavljevic S: Radiotherapy for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea. Radiother Oncol 1996;41:135–138.
15.
Parsons JT, Mendenhall WM, Stringer SP, Cassisi NJ, Million RR: Management of minor salivary gland carcinomas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996;35:443–454.
16.
Hosokawa Y, Ohmori K, Kaneko M, Yamasaki M, Ahmed M, Arimoto T, Irie G: Analysis of adenoid cystic carcinoma treated by radiotherapy. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1992;74:251–255.
17.
Payne D, Van Houtte P: Current indications for exclusive radiotherapy. Rev Mal Respir 1998;15:377–382.
© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.