Salivary duct carcinoma--a clinicopathologic study of 12 cases.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), a recently defined malignant tumor usually of major salivary glands, has probably been included in the group of adenocarcinomas, NOS. As yet, only a few descriptions of its clinical behavior have appeared. We have found 12 cases of SDC treated at our institution since 1970 and have reviewed their presentation and course. Despite total parotidectomy in most cases and radiotherapy in all, most patients have succumbed to their tumors, six with distant metastases. SDC appears to be a highly malignant tumor requiring aggressive combined therapy for locoregional control. The high incidence of systemic spread indicates a need for effective chemotherapy on an adjuvant basis.