1990 Volume 36 Issue 11 Pages 2538-2543
Eleven cases of adenoid cystic carcinomas arising from the minor salivary gland were surgically excised at our department between 1978 and 1987. The histologic examination revealed a tumor negative margin in 5 cases and a positive margin in 6 cases.
The 5 tumors of negative margin were located in the tongue (T1aN0M0), palate (T1a N0N/10), oral floor (T2bN2bN.10), upper alveolar bone (TlaN0M0), and cheek (T3bN0N10). This study was attempted to determine the extent of tumor invasion by using serial sections prepared from the excised tumor tissues of negative margin. The results showed extensive and insidious infiltration of tumor cells into adjacent soft tissues, especially involving the submucocutaneous connective tissues and sheaths of muscle, fat and nerves. The degree of peripheral infiltration appeared to elevate with the increased clinical tumor size. The spread of tumor juged by microscopy was 1. 5 to 3. 5 times of the macroscopical size.
These findings suggest that more wide excision and combination with radio-and/or chemotherapy are required for a management of this tumor.
