Which of the following salivary gland malignancies has the best overall 5-year prognosis?
- A High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- B Acinic cell carcinoma ✓
- C Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- D Squamous cell carcinoma of parotid
Correct answer: B. Acinic cell carcinoma
Explanation
Acinic cell carcinoma is a low-grade malignancy with the best 5-year survival among salivary gland cancers (approximately 80–90%). Adenoid cystic carcinoma, while slow-growing, has a propensity for perineural invasion and late distant metastases, leading to poor long-term (10–20 year) survival despite reasonable 5-year figures. High-grade mucoepidermoid and squamous cell carcinoma carry a much worse prognosis.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.