More about salivary gland cancers .

These are a rare group of cancers. They represent less than 5% of all head and neck malignancies and can also present in other areas of the body, including the windpipe and the vulva. Surgery, where possible, followed by radiotherapy is the most common treatment. Supporting research and clinical trials is vital to improve survival and reduce side effects in all patients.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is the most common of the salivary gland cancers. In the UK, 5 people in every million learn they have the condition every year.

The average age at diagnosis is a decade younger than for all cancer patients.

The primary tumours can start in one of the 3 major salivary glands (which are found in the head) or in the minor salivary glands (found in the head, throat, wind pipe and vulva).

ACC tumours can be classified as cylindroma, cribiform, or solid ACC.

ACC generally metastasizes (spreads from the original tumour site) along the nerves, but can also spread through the bloodstream.

These metastases (secondary growths) are most often found in the lungs, but also occur in the liver and bones.

Other Salivary Gland Cancers:

Acinic cell carcinoma

Secretory carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma

Epithelial-myoepithlial carcinoma

Clear cell carcinoma

Basal cell adenocarcinoma

Intraductal carcinoma

Cystadenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma, NOS

Salivary duct carcinoma

Myoepithlial carcinoma

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma

Carcinosarcoma

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Oncocytic carcinoma

Poorly differentiated carcinoma:

-Neuroendocrine/non-neuroendocrine

-Undifferentiated carcinoma

-Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

-Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma