Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive epithelial malignant tumor that occurs in human salivary glands, of which the parotid gland accounts for the largest proportion. The imaging examination of SDC includes ultrasound, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography can also be used to determine tumor location and distant metastases. In addition, fine-needle aspiration cytology can be used in diagnosis. For the treatment of SDC, the most common method is surgery with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, most patients undergo neck dissection. However, the effects of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy remain unclear. At present, targeted therapies for SDC are considered as research hotspots, including androgen deprivation therapy targeting androgen receptor and Trastuzumab-based treatment targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. Meanwhile, SDC has a poor prognosis. However, the determination of the adverse prognostic factors of the disease remains controversial. This article will review the research advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SDC to improve understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
