Understanding basal cell adenocarcinoma of the head and neck: A population-based study

Background Using a population-based database, this study investigates the risk factors, epidemiology, and outcomes of basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC) of the head and neck. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was analyzed for all patients with BCAC of the head and neck from 1973 to 2015. Results Three hundred and twenty-two cases of BCAC of the head and neck were identified. Mean age of diagnosis was 64.1 years. 52.5% were male and 77.3% were white. The most common primary site was the parotid gland (71.7%). Most patients underwent surgery alone (51.9%). Five-year disease-specific survival (5Y-DSS) was 95.6%, and 10Y-DSS was 90.3%. Highest survival was seen with surgery alone followed by combined surgery and radiation (10Y-DSS: 93.9% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.001). Age, primary site, T-classification, grade, and treatment type significantly affected survival. Conclusions BCAC of the head and neck presents most frequently in the parotid glands. Surgery alone is associated with highest survival.