Cytology and histology have limited added value in prognostic models for salivary gland carcinomas

Univariate analyses on malignant salivary gland tumors report a strong relation of histological subtypes and prognosis. However, multivariate analyses with sufficient patients and reflecting the broad spectrum of putative prognostic factors are rare. In order to study the prognostic value of cytology and histology in salivary carcinoma we performed multivariate analyses on 666 newly diagnosed patients. In multivariate analyses sex, tumor size, N- and M-staging, localization, comorbidity, skin involvement and pain were independent predictors of survival. Histology was an independent prognostic factor, mainly because acinic cell carcinoma acted differently from the other histological subtypes. However, a simple prognostic model without cytology and/or histology has similar predictive power compared to more elaborate models. The added prognostic value of cytology and/or histology factors in salivary carcinoma is limited, largely due to the combined prognostic value of other prognostic factors such as tumor size, N- and M-classification and comorbidity.

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