Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer, typically originating in the head and neck region. This malignancy has a slow - and sometimes relentless - progression with a tendency to grow along nerves. Particularly high rates of recurrence and metastasis to the lungs lead to a poor prognosis beyond ten years.

The Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation (ACCRF) supports research into adenoid cystic carcinoma that will accelerate the development of improved therapies and a cure for the disease.

• Afflicting about 5,000 Americans, ACC is diagnosed in about 1,200 new cases each year in the United States.
• ACC´s progression is typically gradual and relentless. Its high propensity to recur has led to 15-year survival rates of around 40%.
• ACC is an equal-opportunity disease that might strike anyone. It is not inherited and is not associated with smoking, drinking, infection or ethnicity. Women comprise nearly two-thirds of ACC cases.
• ACC often afflicts young and middle-aged patients. The median age at diagnosis for ACC patients is a decade younger than for all cancer patients.
• No chemotherapies or targeted drugs have been approved for ACC. Research is needed to find effective therapies for ACC patients.

View our frequently asked questions page to learn more about adenoid cystic carcinoma.