Introduction
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) was initially described as ”cylindroma” in 1856 by Billroth, as it contained long amorphous compartments named ”cylinders” in its histological view. Later on, the term “Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma”(AdCC) replaced the term cylindroma for defining this tumor(1). AdCC accounts for 10% of salivary gland tumors, and for approximately 1% of all malignancies of head and neck(2). AdCC arises more frequently in minor salivary glands, in comparison to major salivary glands(3). AdCC of minor salivary glands are believed to have a worse prognosis, compared to those of the major salivary glands. Pain can be a paramount symptom of the disease, due to the tumor’s proneness towards perineural invasion(4). Although this tumor is likely to occur at almost any age, it is most commonly observed in women, in the 5th and 6th decades of life(5). In a recent study, the AdCC occurrence rate in women and men was 60:40, respectively(6).
AdCC often manifests itself as a small and slowly-growing tumor. However, it is diagnosed at an advanced stage in most cases(7). It grows with a slower rate, in comparison to other carcinomas, and has a low prevalence of spreading into local and regional lymph nodes. Nevertheless, local and distant recurrences and also hematogenous spread are relatively common(3). Distant metastasis is quite common, with the highest prevalence in the lungs, followed by bones, liver and the brain(8).
In this article, two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma which occurred in the right buccal mucosa are presented.