Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) generally develops slowly, sometimes over several years, and may not cause symptoms. Most often it is diagnosed as a single tumour but may have spread to nearby lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed in a small number of cases.
Rarely, ACC can spread along nerves or metastasise to other parts of the body (usually the lungs, liver or bone) and cause problems. It can also be unpredictable, growing slowly for a period of time and then suddenly growing quickly. ACC may behave differently in different people.
If you do have symptoms it will depend on where in the body the tumour is located and its size.
Symptoms may include:
| Salivary gland (produces saliva) |
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| Lacrimal gland (produces tears) |
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| Larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) |
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| Skin |
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| Breast |
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→ READ MORE: Adenoid cystic carcinoma diagnosis
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A/Prof Dion Forstner, Radiation Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW; Nick Kelly, Consumer; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA.
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