Adenoid cystic carcinomas of the skin are extremely rare. Probably less than 100 cases have been reported.

The cancer starts from sweat glands in the skin, usually either on the scalp or the chest. People of any age may be affected, but the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 60.

The first sign is generally a lump on the skin, or an ulcer.

Treatment is with surgery. As the tumour grows it sends tiny threads of cells into the surrounding tissue. So, it is usually removed with a wide area (margin) of surrounding healthy skin. If any cancer cells are left behind at the time of surgery the cancer will eventually grow back although this may not be for many years.

Occasionally (in about 1 in 10 cases) the cancer can spread through the bloodstream to the lungs. If this happens it may take several years to occur and the secondary cancers are usually very slow growing.

Reference

• Neltner SA, Marks VJ. Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma. In, Miller SJ, Maloney ME eds, Cutaneous oncology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. Blackwell, 1998