Skip to main content

Table 1 Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: At a glance.

From: Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: case report and review of the literature

Incidence:

• 0.1% of all breast cancers.

Age at presentation:

• 30 to 90 (mostly in 5th and 6th decade of life).

Most common presentation:

• Painful breast mass.

Mammography (role):

• Limited as compared to other breast cancers (may miss the tumor).

Lymph node involvement:

• Uncommon.

Metastases:

• Rare (can occur without LN involvement).

Most common site of metastases:

• Lung.

Management Options:

Surgery

• Simple Mastectomy (most widely performed).

• Lumpectomy followed by radiation (alternative option).

• Modified radical mastectomy (falling out of favor, considered too radical).

Radiation:

• Insufficiently evaluated (follows lumpectomy).

Chemotherapy:

• Not studied.

Hormonal manipulation:

• Of limited value as most cases are ER & PR negative.