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Management of advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma infiltrating the skull base: a contemporary review

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Abstract

Introduction

This article provides an overview of the natural history and management of adenoid cystic carcinoma infiltrating the skull base (SB ACC).

Methods

A comprehensive review of the available literature and discussion regarding the current management of SB ACC.

Results

This review describes the unique pathology, appropriate diagnostic work-up and contemporary management options in SB ACC. There is a specific focus on the role of surgical resection with post-operative radiotherapy, given the literature suggesting a superior locoregional control rate. The importance of surgical decision making and varying surgical approaches are detailed. In addition, the emerging role of biological agents is discussed.

Conclusion

The gold standard for SB ACC is surgical resection and post-operative radiation, given the superior locoregional control. In patients not amendable to surgery, palliative radiation should be considered. The role of biological agents is still evolving. The complexity of SB ACC management mandates experienced multi-speciality management.

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Fig. 1

Reprinted with permission from Part B Journal of Neurological Surgery: Skull Base [31]

Fig. 2

Reprinted with permission from Part B Journal of Neurological Surgery: Skull Base [31]

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Skull Base Unit, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

    E. Guazzo & B. Panizza

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    E. Guazzo & B. Panizza

  3. Department of Neurosciences, Mater Hospital of Brisbane, South Brisbane, Australia

    B. Panizza

Authors
  1. E. Guazzo
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  2. B. Panizza
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Correspondence to B. Panizza.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study contains data already published in Oral Oncology and were in accordance with the ethical standards of our institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Human Research Ethics Committee Reference number: HREC/18/QPAH/485.

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Not appropriate for this study as it is a review.

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Guazzo, E., Panizza, B. Management of advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma infiltrating the skull base: a contemporary review. J Neurooncol 150, 419–427 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-019-03366-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-019-03366-x

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