Lymph node ratio-based prognostic model for risk stratification and individualized adjuvant therapy for postoperative major salivary duct carcinoma.

Abstract

To investigate the value of lymph node ratio (LNR) for postoperative major salivary duct carcinoma (MSDC) and to establish a model for prognosis assessment and treatment optimization. Data of MSDC were retrieved in public database, and prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. A nomogram and risk stratification system were constructed. Four hundred and eleven eligible patients were included (training cohort vs. validation cohort: 287: 124). LNR ≥0.09 was associated with worse overall survival (OS). Age at diagnosis, sex, T stage, and LNR were identified as prognostic factors and integrated into nomogram. Low-risk patients were found to have better OS than high-risk patients. Furthermore, postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) significantly improved OS in the high-risk subgroup, but chemotherapy did not confer a long-term survival benefit. A nomogram model integrating LNR could better assess postoperative prognosis and risk stratification in MSDC, and identify patients who might benefit from PORT to avoid overtreatment.