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Salivary duct carcinoma: A clinical and histologic review with implications for trastuzumab therapy
Author(s) -
Nabili Vishad,
Tan Jesse W.,
Bhuta Sunita,
Sercarz Joel A.,
Head Christian S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20614
Subject(s) - trastuzumab , medicine , salivary duct carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , ductal carcinoma , breast cancer , oncology , carcinoma , adjuvant therapy , malignancy , pathology , cancer
Background Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive tumor of the head and neck with a poor prognosis. The objective was to study SDC and recommend the use of trastuzumab as adjuvant therapy. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients seen between 1993 and 2006 was performed. Tumor specimens were examined for HER‐2 protein overexpression via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Results Of the 7 patients with SDC, 57% had tumors arising in the parotid gland, the majority having facial nerve paralysis, 71% with nodal disease, and 43% having recurrence. All samples were HER‐2 positive on IHC. Three patients had FISH‐positive tumors, recurrent disease, and recieved trastuzumab therapy; 1 of the 3 died after 20 months and a second has shown disappearance of metastatic disease. Conclusions Trastuzumab is effective in treating HER‐2‐positive breast cancer. Given immunohistochemical similarities between SDC and ductal carcinoma of the breast, patients with FISH‐positive HER‐2/neu SDC should be considered for trastuzumab therapy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007