Chemotherapy in patients with advanced/recurrence malignant salivary gland tumors

Since malignant tumors of salivary glands are heterogeneous and rare it is hardly possible to conduct randomized clinical trials devoted to these malignancies. Therefore clinical data available in the literature come almost solely from small retrospective clinical studies or case reports. Among several malignant tumors of salivary gland the adenoid cystic carcinoma is most frequently described and discussed in the literature. There are no formal recommendations issued by oncologic societies on the systemic treatment of patients with advanced/metastatic salivary gland malignancies. This article is aimed to summarize available data on systemic treatment of patients with malignant salivary gland tumors with special interest in clinical efficacy of various chemotherapy regimens in particular tumor types.