Adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary origin: A clinicopathologic study of 242 cases

Abstract

In recent years, the term “adenoid cystic carcinoma” has won increasing acceptance as the one preferred for the unusual, malignant epithelial tumor that Billroth called “cylindroma” in 1856 [I-7]. Whatever the preference in nomenclature, neoplasms showing an adenoid cystic histologic pattern are quite uncommon and may arise in a variety of anatomic sites, including the paired salivary glands, the lacrimal gland [8,9], the mucous glands of the upper respiratory [IO] and digestive tracts [11,12], the skin [13,14], and the breast [15,16]. In this study, we shall focus on a sizable experience with adenoid cystic carcinoma arising in major and minor salivary (mucous) glands. Patients having similar tumors in the lacrimal glands or mucous glands of the trachea have been excluded, although other reports suggest that the clinical course is similar [8,10]. The designation of certain rare skin and breast tumors as “adenoid cystic” is somewhat misleading, inasmuch as the clinical course in such patients is quite different.