Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Adenoid Cystic Carcinomais not the name you expected.

Synonyms

• ACC
• Adenocystic Carcinoma
• Cribriform Carcinoma
• Cylindroma

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

This disease entry was made possible due to the generosity of the Kathleen Keany Memorial Foundation, 8502 East Chapman Avenue, Suite 195, Orange, CA 92869, (714) 538-6920.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare form of cancer that most commonly develops in the salivary glands or other regions of the head and neck. In some cases, ACC may arise in other primary sites, such as the skin; the breast; the neck of the uterus (cervix) in females; the prostate gland in males; or other areas.

The term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth that invades surrounding tissues and may spread (metastasize) to distant bodily tissues or organs via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or other means. Different forms of cancer, including adenoid cystic carcinoma, may be classified based upon the cell type involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, the tissues or organs affected, and the disease's clinical course.

ACC tumors are characterized by a distinctive pattern in which abnormal "nests" or cords of certain cells (epithelial cells) surround and/or infiltrate ducts or glandular structures within the affected organ. These structures are typically filled with a mucous-like material or contain abnormal fibrous membranes (hyaline membranes). Such characteristics are apparent during microscopic evaluation of the tumor cells. ACC is considered a low-grade malignancy that has a history of slow growth, but tends to be aggressively invasive and to infiltrate nearby lymph nodes as well as the "sheaths" or coatings surrounding nerve fibers (perineural spaces). This form of cancer may have a tendency to recur later at the site where it first developed (local recurrence) and to spread to distant bodily sites, particularly the lungs, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications.
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Resources

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta
GA
30329
USA
Tel: (404)320-3333
800: (800)227-2345
http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda
MD
20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
800: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
http://www.cancer.gov

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite770
Silver Spring
MD
20910-5600
Tel: (301)650-9127
Fax: (301)565-9670
800: (877)622-7937
infor@canceradvocacy.org
http:// www.canceradvocacy.org

Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Suite A
Chester
NJ
07930
Tel: (908)879-4039
Fax: (908)879-6518
800: (877)467-3638
info@cancerhopenetwork.org
http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, Inc.
P.O. Box 53
Locust Valley
NY
11560-0053
USA
Tel: (516)759-5333
Fax: (516)671-8794
info@spohnc.org
http://www.spohnc.org

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource
3400 Spruce Street
2 Donner
Philadelphia
PA
19104-4283
USA
Tel: (215)349-5445
Fax: (215)349-5445
editors@oncolink.upenn.edu
http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

Association of Community Cancer Centers
11600 Nebel Street
#201
Rockville
MD
20852
Tel: (301)984-9496
Fax: (301)770-1949
http://www.accc-cancer.org

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Alliance
PO Box 82
1649 N. Pacana Way
Green Valley
AZ
85614
USA
Tel: (520)625-5495
Fax: (951)609-3982
sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
http://www.rare-cancer.org/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma/

Canadian Cancer Society
10 Alcorn Avenue
Suite 200
Toronto
Toronto
M4V 3B1
Canada
Tel: (416) 961-7223
Fax: (416) 961-4189
800: (888) 939-3333
ccs@cancer.ca
http://www.cancer.ca/

International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education
4853 Cordell Avenue
Suite 14
Bethesda
MD
20814
Tel: (301)656-3461
Fax: (301)654-8684
800: (800)422-7361
info@icare.org
http://www.icare.org

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International
PO Box 15482
San Diego
CA
92175
USA
accoi_info@yahoo.com
http://www.orgsites.com/ca/acco

Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley
AZ
85614
USA
Tel: (520)625-5495
Fax: (615)526-4921
sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
http://www.rare-cancer.org

Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington
VA
22202
Tel: (703)302-1503
Fax: (703)302-1568
info@focr.org
http://www.focr.org

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation
P.O. Box 442
Needham
MA
02494
Tel: (781)248-9699
info@accrf.org
http://www.accrf.org

Cancer.Net
American Society of Clinical Oncology
2318 Mill Road
Suite 800
Alexandria
VA
22314
Tel: (571)483-1780
Fax: (571)366-9537
800: (888)651-3038
contactus@cancer.net
http://www.cancer.net/patient

Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington
DC
20006
Tel: (202)659-9709
Fax: (202)659-9301
800: (888)793-9355
help@thewellnesscommunity.org
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin
TX
78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
800: (866)235-7205
http://www.livestrong.org