Clinical and histopathological factors for recurrence and metastasis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in Chinese patients

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the association of metabolism-related proteins and clinicopathological features with poor prognosis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC).

Methods

Clinicopathological data for 39 Chinese patients with LGACC enrolled were retrospectively analysed. Disease progression included death, recurrence, further nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis. Expression of ASCT2 and GLS1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for risk factor analyses.

Results

At the end of follow-up, 14 patients (35.9%) developed local recurrence, 13 patients (33.3%) developed distant metastasis, 3 patients (7.7%) developed lymph node metastasis, and 9 patients (23.1%) died. Among the 13 patients who developed distant metastasis, lung metastasis was observed in 8 patients (61.5%), the brain in 8 patients (61.5%), and bone in 1 patient (7.7%). ASCT2 was expressed in 16 (57.14%) cases, while GLS1 had high expression in 19 (67.9%) cases. Advanced T category (≥T3), bone erosion, basaloid subtype, and ASCT2 (-) were associated with disease progression. Basaloid subtype was an independent risk factor for local recurrence (P = 0.028; HR, 12.12; 95% CI, 1.3–111.5). ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis (P = 0.016; HR, 14.46; 95% CI, 1.6–127.5) and was associated with basaloid subtype (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

For LGACC, ≥T3 category, basaloid subtype, and bone erosion were high-risk predictors. ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis, which suggested that it could be a potential biomarker for LGACC.