by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
April 4, 2024
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a slow-growing but locally aggressive type of cancer most commonly found in one of the major salivary glands, such as the parotid, submandibular, or sublingual gland. Other locations include the skin, lungs, breasts, and prostate gland. Adenoid cystic carcinoma grows slowly but spreads widely into surrounding tissues. However, unlike other types of cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma does not typically spread to lymph nodes unless it undergoes high grade transformation.
The symptoms of adenoid cystic carcinoma depend on where the tumour starts and its size. Symptoms associated with tumours in the head and neck include pain, numbness, and tingling in the area of the tumour. In the skin or breast, the tumour may appear as a painless lump or nodule. Tumours in the lungs may cause shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.
The precise cause of adenoid cystic carcinoma is not fully understood. Unlike some other types of cancer, there are no clear lifestyle or environmental risk factors directly linked to its development. Instead, the emergence of this cancer type is primarily attributed to genetic mutations and chromosomal rearrangements that affect cell growth and differentiation.
When examined under the microscope, adenoid cystic carcinoma is made up of two types of cells: ductal cells and myoepithelial cells. As a result, it is sometimes described as a biphasic salivary gland tumour. The tumour cells in adenoid cystic carcinoma commonly show two growth patterns: tubular and cribriform. In the tubular pattern, the tumour cells connect to create a ring-shaped structure with a hole in the centre. In the cribriform pattern, the tumour cells connect to form makes small spaces called microcysts. These microcysts are often filled with blue or pink-coloured material.
High grade transformation in adenoid cystic carcinoma means that the tumour has started to change in a way that results in more aggressive behaviour. When examined under the microscope, tumours with high grade transformation have lost some of the features seen in a typical tumour. In particular, the tumour cells often stick together to create large groups of cells without the microcysts typically seen in adenoid cystic carcinoma. Pathologists use the term solid to describe this pattern of growth. Tumours with high grade transformation often have more mitotic figures (tumour cells dividing to create new tumour cells) and a type of cell death called necrosis may also be seen. High grade transformation is important because these tumours are more likely to metastasize (spread) to lymph nodes and the lungs.
In the context of a salivary gland tumour such as adenoid cystic carcinoma, extraparenchymal extension (EPE) is the spread of the tumour beyond the salivary gland into the surrounding tissues. This condition is often associated with a more aggressive form of cancer, indicating that the tumour can invade beyond its original site. The presence of extraparenchymal extension is associated with more aggressive tumours and a worse prognosis.
Extraparenchyma, extension impacts the pathologic stage but only for tumours arising from one of the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual). Tumours with extraparenchymal extension are generally classified at a higher stage, reflecting their advanced nature and the associated challenges in treatment and management.
Pathologists use the term perineural invasion (PNI) to describe a situation where cancer cells attach to or invade a nerve. “Intraneural invasion” is a related term that specifically refers to cancer cells found inside a nerve. Nerves, resembling long wires, consist of groups of cells known as neurons. These nerves, present throughout the body, transmit information such as temperature, pressure, and pain between the body and the brain. The presence of perineural invasion is important because it allows cancer cells to travel along the nerve into nearby organs and tissues, raising the risk of the tumour recurring after surgery. Perineural invasion is almost always seen in adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) occurs when cancer cells invade a blood vessel or lymphatic vessel. Blood vessels, thin tubes that carry blood throughout the body, contrast with lymphatic vessels, which carry a fluid called lymph instead of blood. These lymphatic vessels connect to small immune organs known as lymph nodes, scattered throughout the body. Lymphovascular invasion is important because it enables cancer cells to spread to other body parts, including lymph nodes or the liver, via the blood or lymphatic vessels. Lymphovascular invasion is typically only seen in adenoid cystic carcinomas that have undergone high grade transformation.
In pathology, a margin refers to the edge of tissue removed during tumour surgery. The margin status in a pathology report is important as it indicates whether the entire tumour was removed or if some was left behind. This information helps determine the need for further treatment.
Pathologists typically assess margins following a surgical procedure like an excision or resection, aimed at removing the entire tumour. Margins aren’t usually evaluated after a biopsy, which removes only part of the tumour. The number of margins reported and their size—how much normal tissue is between the tumour and the cut edge—vary based on the tissue type and tumour location.
Pathologists examine margins to check if tumour cells are present at the tissue’s cut edge. A positive margin, where tumour cells are found, suggests that some cancer may remain in the body. In contrast, a negative margin, with no tumour cells at the edge, suggests the tumour was fully removed. Some reports also measure the distance between the nearest tumour cells and the margin, even if all margins are negative.
Lymph nodes are small immune organs located throughout the body. Cancer cells can travel from a tumour to these lymph nodes via tiny lymphatic vessels. For this reason, doctors often remove and microscopically examine lymph nodes to look for cancer cells. This process, where cancer cells move from the original tumour to another body part, like a lymph node, is termed metastasis.
Cancer cells usually first migrate to lymph nodes near the tumour, although distant lymph nodes may also be affected. Consequently, surgeons typically remove lymph nodes closest to the tumour first. They might remove lymph nodes farther from the tumour if they are enlarged and there’s a strong suspicion they contain cancer cells.
Pathologists will examine any lymph nodes removed under a microscope, and the findings will be detailed in your report. A “positive” result indicates the presence of cancer cells in the lymph node, while a “negative” result means no cancer cells were found. If the report finds cancer cells in a lymph node, it might also specify the size of the largest cluster of these cells, often referred to as a “focus” or “deposit.” Extranodal extension occurs when tumour cells penetrate the lymph node’s outer capsule and spread into the adjacent tissue.
Examining lymph nodes is important for two reasons. First, it helps determine the pathologic nodal stage (pN). Second, discovering cancer cells in a lymph node suggests an increased risk of finding cancer cells in other body parts later. This information guides your doctor in deciding whether you need additional treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.
Pathologic staging is a system doctors use to describe the size and spread of a tumour. This helps determine how advanced the cancer is and guides treatment decisions. The pathologic stage is usually determined after the tumour is removed and examined by a pathologist, who analyzes the tissue under a microscope. For adenoid cystic carcinoma, staging is based on the “TNM” system, where “T” stands for the size and extent of the primary tumour, “N” refers to lymph node involvement, and “M” indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The tumour stage describes the size of the tumour in the salivary gland and whether it has spread into nearby tissues.
The nodal stage indicates whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, which are small glands that help the body fight infection. Lymph node involvement can increase the risk of cancer spreading further.
The prognosis for an individual diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma can vary widely and is influenced by several factors. This type of cancer is known for its slow growth, but it also tends to recur and metastasize, even many years after initial treatment, which complicates the prognosis.
Factors that influence prognosis:
Doctors wrote this article to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.