National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Adenoid cystic carcinoma

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We would like to know if this type of cancer can be environmental. My father in law worked at an automotive company for over 30 years and he also lived very close to the airport. His house was right in the landing path of the airplanes. Sometimes the planes were so low that you could actually see the people in the windows of the plane. Also, is this cancer genetic?

The following information may help to address your question:


What causes adenoid cystic carcinoma?

The underlying cause of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is not yet known, but it appears to develop from non-inherited, genetic changes that occur during a person's lifetime. These genetic changes are present only in the cancer cells, not in the cells with the genetic material that is passed on to offspring (the egg and sperm cells).[1] The changes may be caused by exposures in a person's environment. However, no strong environmental risk factors specific to ACC have been identified.[1] Unlike some other cancers of the head and neck, ACC is not linked to tobacco or alcohol use, or infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV).[2]

There has been evidence that ACC tumor cells are associated with the presence of too much of a protein called “myb,” and with the p53 tumor suppressor gene.[2][3] This gene normally limits cell growth by monitoring the rate at which cells divide.[3] Research is under way to better understand how ACC develops.[2]
Last updated: 6/21/2017

Is adenoid cystic carcinoma inherited?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is not considered to be an inherited cancer. Like most cancers, ACC appears to develop from genetic changes that are caused by something in a person's environment.[2] In almost all reported cases, ACC has occurred sporadically in people with no family history of ACC. However, we are aware of two reports in the literature in which more than one family member had ACC.[4][5] There has also been speculation about whether ACC may be associated with certain family cancer syndromes, but more research is needed to determine if an association exists.[6][7]
Last updated: 6/21/2017

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

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GARD Information Specialist

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  1. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Oral Cancer Foundation. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/rare/ac/. Accessed 6/20/2017.
  2. Understanding ACC. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation. https://www.accrf.org/living-with-acc/understanding-acc/. Accessed 6/21/2017.
  3. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Cancer.Net (American Society of Clinical Oncology). January, 2016; http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/adenoid-cystic-carcinoma/overview.
  4. Yoshioka N, Mese H, Okui T, Ibaragi S, Sasaki A. Familial adenoid cystic carcinoma of sublingual salivary glands. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology. May, 2015; 27(3):353-356. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212555814000477.
  5. Channir HI, van Overeem Hansen T, Andreasen S, Yde CW, Kiss K, Charabi BW. Genetic Characterization of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Minor Salivary Glands: A Potential Familial Occurrence in First-Degree Relatives. Head Neck Pathol. February 16, 2017; [Epub ahead of print]:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28210977.
  6. Shen TK, Teknos TN, Toland AE, Senter L, Nagy R. Salivary Gland Cancer in BRCA-Positive Families : A Retrospective Review. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. September 25, 2014; [Epub ahead of print]:Accessed 12/10/2014.
  7. Yilmaz B, Goldberg LH, Schechter NR, Kemp BL, Ruiz H. Basal cell nevus syndrome concurrent with adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary gland. J Am Acad Dermatol. May, 2003; 48(5 Suppl):S64-66.