Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a rare form of adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is a broad term describing any cancer that begins in the glands or glandular tissue that lines some organs. Most often, AdCC is found in the salivary glands.

About adenoid cystic carcinoma
Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.

In general, AdCC is a cancerous tumor that begins in glands found in the head and neck region. In rare cases, it can form in other parts of the body, including in the brain, breast, lung, or the uterus. Most often, AdCC starts in the salivary glands found in the lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords, and part of the esophagus and windpipe. This part of the body is known as the "upper aerodigestive tract." AdCC is sometimes classified as a disease of the minor salivary gland, even though it may begin at other locations.

Besides being classified based on where the cancer begins, AdCC is also described based on what the tumor cells look like under a microscope. This is called the histologic variations of the tumor. The tumor can be classified as:

cylindroma: a tumor with tube-shaped cells

cribriform: a tumor with gaps between the cells, giving it the appearance of Swiss cheese

solid AdCC

When AdCC spreads, it tends to spread along nerves, known as perineural invasion, or through the bloodstream. It spreads to the lymph nodes in about 5% to 10% of cases. If AdCC spreads to another part of the body beyond the lymph nodes, it is called metastatic cancer. The most common place for AdCC metastases is the lung.

AdCC is known for having long periods of no growth, also called indolence, followed by growth spurts. But AdCC can behave aggressively in some people. This makes the course of AdCC unpredictable