Treatment and outcomes of minor salivary gland cancers of the larynx and trachea: a systematic review

Objectives: Malignant minor salivary glands carcinomas (MiSGC) of the larynx and trachea are rare tumours and published evidence is sparse. We conducted a systematic review to describe shareable treatment strategies and oncological outcomes of these neoplastic entities. Methods: Full text English manuscripts published from January 1st 2000 to December 14th 2022 were included. Data on demographics, treatments and outcomes were collected. A pooled analysis of 5-year overall survival (OS) was performed. Results: Seventeen articles and 365 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common subsites involved were subglottic and distal trachea. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was, by far, the most frequent histotype. The first-choice treatment strategy was surgery (86.8%), while adjuvant treatments were delivered in 57.4% of patients. Only 12.9% were treated with definitive radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. The mean follow-up was 68.3 months. One hundred nine (34.9%) deaths were recorded and 62.4% were cancer-related. Five-year OS ranged from 20% to 100% and, at pooled analysis, it was 83% (range, 78%-87%). Conclusions: In case of MiSGC of the larynx and trachea, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Adjuvant treatments are frequently delivered. Survival estimates are good overall, but highly heterogeneous.