Epirubicin, Cisplatin and Protracted Venous Infusion 5-Fluorouracil Chemotherapy for Advanced Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Aims: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumour that usually arises in the salivary glands. Initial management is surgery often combined with adjuvant radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is reserved for treatment of symptomatic recurrence. We evaluated the combination of epirubicin, cisplatin and protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in the management of ACC. Materials and methods: Patients referred for treatment of advanced, symptomatic ACC were considered. The drugs given were epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) 3-weekly, cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) 3-weekly and protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil 200 mg/m(2)/day. Results: Eight patients (median age 46 years) received a median of five cycles of chemotherapy. All patients had had previous surgery, seven had had previous radiotherapy and one had had previous chemotherapy. One patient showed a partial response (duration 34 months) and five showed stable disease (median duration 13.6 months [6.8-15.9+ months]). Median survival was 27 months (3.5-62.3 months). Conclusions: The activity of ECF in ACC of the head and neck seems to be similar to the combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil and single-agent epirubicin. Ross, P. J. et al. (2009). Clinical Oncology 21, 311-314 (c) 2009 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.