Executive Summary:
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) affects around 38 different body parts. Almost 58% of it alone occurs within the pharynx and oral cavity. Approximately 33% of total cases of ACC tend to affect the major salivary glands. It includes the parotid, sublingual glands and sub-mandibular. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma accounts for less than 1% of cancer cases worldwide. Approximately 1,300 individuals have ACC in the US. Among them, around 60% are females. Therefore, two-thirds of the total ACC cases involve the female population. Only 38% of the male population has ACC compared to females.
Talking about the five-year survival Talking about the five-year survival data, almost 89% of the population has a five-year survival rate in ACC cases, while 40% have a 15-year survival rate for ACC. Generally, older adults above the age group of 58 suffer from ACC.


Statistics and Prevalence of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an uncommon, malignant form of cancer. It affects the secretory glands of the body. The form of adenocarcinoma is commonly seen in the head and neck region, particularly concerning the salivary glands. It can also affect other body parts like the lungs, brain, breast, uterus, Bartholin gland, trachea, glands in the eye etc. Statistics show that adenoid cystic carcinoma can occur in around 38 body parts. And out of this, approximately 58% alone occurs in the pharynx and oral cavity. About 33% of total cases of ACC affect the major salivary glands, including the parotid, sublingual glands and sub-mandibular. The chance of the tumor beginning in the respiratory system is around 17%, and in the breast is about 12% approx. The remaining 13% starts in other sites of the body.
Rare Disease
Out of every 500 new cases of cancer diagnosed yearly, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma accounts for only less than 1% of the total cases worldwide. Hence as per the Rare Disease Act 2002’s definition of “rare diseases”, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is a rare form of malignancy.
Every year, as per statistical data, about 1,300 people suffers from ACC tumors in the US. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma can occur in adults and children both. Around 60% of people affected by ACC are women. About two-thirds of the total ACC cases are women. The percentage of men affected by ACC tumors is around 38%.
The five-year survival data refers to the percentage of people who live at least five years after diagnosed with a cancer condition. The five-year survival rate is around 89% for people with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. And the 15-year survival rate of people with ACC is about 40%. Adenoid cystic carcinoma’s survival rate is somewhat high compared to most other cancer. This is because the tumor tends to grow at a slow but relentless pace.
Targets younger and middle-aged people
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an uncommon, malignant form of cancer. It affects the secretory glands of the body. ACC tumors are also dangerous in terms of recurrence. A late recurrence is relatively common in the case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, as it can occur years after initially successful treatment. A cancer cell can spread to other body parts before it is detected for the second time. ACC is seen to recur in the area where the tumor was diagnosed initially, metastasizing to invade other organs and spreading along different neurological pathways. However, since this adenocarcinoma grows and progresses slowly, people often live for a long time, even with advanced metastatic disease.
Treatment and care
It is expected that with technological advancements, new treatment protocols, advanced research and studies, timely diagnosis, making informed choices regarding treatment and care, open communications with the health care team, the survival rates of ACC patients can be extended. And patients can live a better quality of life than before.
Conclusion
It is essential to note that the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Statistics showing people diagnosed with ACC and their survival rates are general estimates. These estimates are based on annual data that portrays the number of patients diagnosed with cancer in the US every year. These are subject to change as years pass by. Patients should talk with their doctor or health care team regarding the latest news, information and advancements in treating and curing ACC.
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