Acinic cell carcinoma natural history, complications and prognosis

Natural History, Complications & Prognosis Swathi Venkatesan, M.B.B.S.[1]

• Acinic cell carcinoma is a slow growing tumor
• Tumor may affect the facial nerve or other adjacent tissues depending on its location
• Prognosis is most favorable when the parotid gland is involved
• Progression of acinic cell carcinoma is slow but it may involve adjacent tissues if not treated adequately.
• Acinic cell carcinoma can spread to adjacent organs and eventually be lethal if not intervened on time.
• The prognosis is more favorable when the tumor is in a major salivary gland; the parotid gland is most favorable, followed by the submandibular gland
• The least favorable primary sites are the sublingual and minor salivary glands
• Large bulky tumors or high-grade tumors carry a least favorable or poor prognosis and may best be treated by surgical resection combined with postoperative radiation therapy