Prognostic factors and survival rates for parotid duct carcinoma patients

Objective: To investigate the survival rates of patients diagnosed with parotid duct carcinoma (PDC) and analyze the associated risk factors. Methods: This study included 38 patients with PDC and the following information was collected for each patient: gender, age, tumor size, TNM classification, neck node metastasis, House-Brackmann grade, neural invasion, use of postoperative radiation therapy and survival data. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox model were used to determine prognostic factors for disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates. Results: Of the 38 patients, 36 (94.7%) were male. Mean age at initial diagnosis was 59.9 years (range: 43 -79). A total of 32 (84.2%) patients had T3/T4 tumors, and 29 (76.3%) patients had a preoperative House-Brackmann grade of I/II. A correlation analysis showed that tumor stage was significantly associated with House-Brackmann grade (Spearman r = 0.521, p = 0.001). The 5-year DSS and RFS rates were 45% and 30%, respectively. Using Cox-regression analysis, node metastasis and the preoperative House-Brackmann grade were the independent predictors of both RFS and DSS. Postoperative radiation could decrease disease recurrence, but did not improve disease-specific survival. Conclusion: Parotid duct carcinoma is an aggressive tumor. Node status and preoperative House-Brackmann grade are key prognostic factors. (C) 2014 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.