IMATINIB IN THE TREATMENT OF ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMAS OF THE HEAD AND NECK

INTRODUCTION Adenoid cystic carcinomas in head and neck region are quite rare. Majority of them originate from minor salivary glands. Adenoid cystic carcinomas are well known for their indolent biological nature, protracted clinical course and late onset of distant metastases. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. In recurrent or metastatic disease, chemotherapy is an available option. Several biological agents such as Imatinib have been tried with variable success rates in these patients.We report a case series of seven patients diagnosed to have recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinomas with CD 117 positivity, who had failed after receiving initial treatment.