What is metastatic adenoid cystic cancer?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon form of malignant neoplasm that arises within secretory glands, most commonly the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck. Other sites of origin include the trachea, lacrimal gland, breast, skin, and vulva.

Is adenoid cystic carcinoma caused by HPV?

However, adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been associated with other HPV-related lesions,13 and high-risk HPV types 16, 31 and 33 have been detected in some of these tumors.

When does adenoid cystic carcinoma metastasize to other areas?

Even after achieving clean margins with no recurrence at the primary site of tumor, ACC has a high likelihood of metastasizing to other areas of the body over a period of years.

Is the adenoid cystic carcinoma a salivary gland tumor?

Though it is often considered to be a salivary gland tumor, ACC actually occurs in the broader grouping of all types of secretory glands (glands that secrete fluids) including tear glands, sweat glands, mucus and excretory glands.

How long can you live with adenoid cystic carcinoma?

Tumor growth for ACC is often slow, and people may live a relatively long time with metastatic disease; however, recurrence of ACC (cancer that comes back after treatment) is quite common and can occur many years after initial treatment.

What’s the best treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma?

The most common treatment protocol and “gold standard” for treating initial ACC tumors is surgical resection with follow up radiation. In a fairly large number of cases these two standard treatments do stop the cancer and the patient has no recurrence in their life time.

When does adenoid cystic carcinoma metastasize to liver?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignant parotid tumor. Metastasis can occur even a decade or more after initial treatment of the primary.

Can a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma live?

Although distant metastases of adenoid cystic carcinoma develop frequently, isolated metastasis to liver is unusual. Even after manifestation of distant metastasis, patients can be expected to live for a number of years. Palliative chemotherapy can be considered in symptomatic cases while the usefulness of metastatectomy is controversial.

What kind of chemotherapy is used for adenoid cystic carcinoma?

Palliative chemotherapy can be considered in symptomatic cases while the usefulness of metastatectomy is controversial. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland. Salivary gland neoplasms constitute 3% of cancers of all sites, of which, 10–15% are malignant [ 1, 2 ].

When does adenoid cystic carcinoma develop in the throat?

When the malignancy develops above the opening; between the vocal cords, it may eventually result in persistent hoarseness, change in speech, difficulty swallowing, and soreness of the throat. In some individuals with ACC of the larynx, a mass may be seen in the neck area.