Adenoid Cystic CA : Treatment

The primary mode of treatment is surgical. Given its infiltrative margins and tremendous capacity for perineural invasion, adenoid cystic carcinoma is treated by radical surgery with wide clear margins of resection. Given its propensity to track along the nerves, recurrences are common and very difficult to manage. Post-operative radiation therapy may improve outcomes by limiting local failures. There is no effective chemotherapy for metastatic disease or unresectable tumors.

The image shows a focus of squamous metaplasia in an adenoid cystic carcinoma that underwent de-differentiation (same case as the previous six images).