Salivary gland cancer is a rare and heterogenous group of malignancies. Prognosis is variable, with 10-year local control approximately 75-80%, and 10-year overall survival 44-50%1, 2. Retrospective data supports the use of adjuvant radiotherapy for both a local control and overall survival benefit2-4. Predictors for local and distant recurrence include large tumours, nodal involvement, positive resection margins, and unfavourable histological type1, 2. This study aimed to characterise patterns of recurrence and survival after surgery and radiotherapy and identify prognostic factors in this group.

Patients who underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with curative intent for first presentation of salivary gland carcinoma between 2005 and 2020 were identified from the Head and Neck Database of the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre. Patient and tumour characteristics, patterns of recurrence, and overall survival were extracted and analysed for prognostic factors.

56 patients underwent surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy between 2005 and 2020. Median age was 59 years (range 22 to 96 years). 30 patients were male (56%), and 26 were female (46%). The most common histological subtypes were adenoid cystic carcinoma (12 patients), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (11 patients), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (6 patients). There was an equal distribution of high- and low-grade tumours (n=24, 43%), the remainder were intermediate grade (n=7, 12.5%), or not known (n=1). Most patients were non-smokers (n=27, 48%), or ex-smokers (n=19, 34%)....

Excellent local control and overall survival can be achieved with multimodality therapy (surgery and radiotherapy) for salivary gland cancers.

A. Lawless: Nothing to disclose S. Bergamin: Nothing to disclose D. Jayamanne: Nothing to disclose M. J. Stevens: Nothing to disclose P. Macleod: Nothing to disclose R. Mohan: Nothing to disclose M. Shepherd: Nothing to disclose T. Eade: Nothing to disclose

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