Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinomas are a rare histological subtype of adenocarcinoma.

Pathology

Adenoid cystic carcinomas are generally considered low grade ⁴. The tumors have a notable tendency for perineural spread.

Location

They have a wide distribution and mainly occur in relation to the airways, lacrimal glands and breasts. Reported locations include:

• head and neck
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal glands
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx ⁶
  • hard palate
  • nasopharynx
  • rarely reported: eyelid ⁵
• adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast ²
• tracheobronchial tree/respiratory tract
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree
    • second most common primary malignant tracheal neoplasm (after squamous cell carcinoma) ⁴
    • previously also called a cylindroma in this location ⁴
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung
• pelvis
  • uterine/cervical
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin glands