Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a form of cancer that commonly attacks the salivary glands in the mouth. It can also be found in many other parts of the body, particularly the head and neck area. Other locations where carcinoma adenoid cystic problems can be found are the following body parts: the breast, lung, brain, lacrimal gland of the eye, paranasal sinuses, bartholin gland, and trachea. Cystic adenoid carcinoma is actually quite rare, with very few people acquiring this condition. The tumors from cystic adenoid carcinoma are malignant, but many patients are able to live for several years due to the fact that the tumors grow very slowly. However, an untreated condition can eventually lead to death. For this reason, it is important to detect the tumors early to provide adequate treatment techniques.

The causes of carcinoma adenoid cystic tumors are not known, with experts pointing fingers at both environmental causes and hereditary patterns. A person that has a family history of the condition should undergo regular screenings to check for the presence of tumors. One of the problems with the condition is that it can exist for long periods of time without the patient having any symptoms that may be indicators of the presence of tumors. Certain forms, such as those that attack the breasts and lungs, may provide symptoms earlier than other forms. The primary symptom is of a mass in the parotid or submandibular glands. The masses can often appear underneath the lining in the palate or oral cavity. In these places, the tumors can lead to TMJ disease. The lumps will not cause pain.

Unfortunately, there are not a large range of options when it comes to cystic carcinoma treatment. The best and most common technique used is a surgical procedure that removes the tumors and cleans the margins of the area. However, there can be problems with this type of operation when dealing with cases that involve the head and neck. These areas have large concentrations of nerves and the tumors can spread following the tracts of the nerves. After the surgical operation has been completed, the majority of patients will need to undergo palliative or adjuvant radiotherapy to kill any remaining infected cells. For more severe cases that have spread extensively, a surgical operation may not be possible due to the prevalence of the cancer. In these cases, the radiation therapy is done to try and control the spread of the tumors and can be an effective treatment method over time. Another option is the use of neutron therapy. Although it is relatively new, many patients who have the condition in the neck or head have found success with this procedure. Adenoid cystic carcinoma can be a difficult condition, but there are treatment options for cases that are detected in adequate time.