Perineural Invasion in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands: Anatomical Influences on Oncological Management

The evidence as to the prognostic significance of perineural invasion in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands is equivocal. Nevertheless, many head and neck surgeons and oncologists take account of histologically proven perineural invasion when planning treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma. This review presents a digest of the data showing how neural involvement by adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands relates to local anatomy, and how this influences the extent of surgery and planning of radiotherapy.