National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.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.
.Resources
American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: (404)320-3333
Tel: (800)227-2345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
Tel: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
Internet: 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
Tel: (877)622-7937
Email: infor@canceradvocacy.org
Internet: http:// www.canceradvocacy.org
Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Suite A
Chester, NJ 07930
Tel: (908)879-4039
Fax: (908)879-6518
Tel: (877)467-3638
Email: info@cancerhopenetwork.org
Internet: 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
Email: info@spohnc.org
Internet: 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
Email: editors@oncolink.upenn.edu
Internet: 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
Internet: 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
Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Internet: 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
Tel: (888) 939-3333
Email: ccs@cancer.ca
Internet: 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
Tel: (800)422-7361
Email: info@icare.org
Internet: http://www.icare.org
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International
PO Box 15482
San Diego, CA 92175
USA
Email: accoi_info@yahoo.com
Internet: 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
Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Internet: 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
Email: info@focr.org
Internet: http://www.focr.org
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation
P.O. Box 442
Needham, MA 02494
Tel: (781)248-9699
Email: info@accrf.org
Internet: 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
Tel: (888)651-3038
Email: contactus@cancer.net
Internet: 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
Tel: (888)793-9355
Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org
Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org
Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin, TX 78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
Tel: (866)235-7205
Internet: http://www.livestrong.orgFor a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 3/31/2009
Copyright 1999, 2001, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
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