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Review
. 2025 Aug 1;48(8):392-398.
doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000001194. Epub 2025 Apr 23.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast and Adjuvant Radiation Therapy: A Review of Literature

Imed Taleb  1 , Sarah Witmeyer  2 , Hélène Charitansky  3 , Sophie Auriol  3 , Camille Chakiba  4 , Nathalie Quenel Tueux  4 , Adeline Petit  1 , Benoite Méry  2 , Wafa Bouleftour  5 , Nicolas Magné  1   6
Affiliations
Review

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast and Adjuvant Radiation Therapy: A Review of Literature

Imed Taleb et al. Am J Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Objectives: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare special histologic type of breast cancer. This tumor is classified as low-grade and has a favorable prognosis, with rare occurrence of metastasis and distinctive characteristics. Due to the uncommon nature of this tumor, there are no specific recommendations regarding the therapeutic management of this malignancy. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of breast ACC clinical characteristics with a special focus on radiotherapy management.

Methods: A literature review was conducted up to January 2024 through a PubMed search using different combinations of pertinent keywords (eg, Adenoid cystic carcinoma alone, Adenoid cystic carcinoma AND breast Cancer AND radiotherapy; Adenoid cystic carcinoma AND breast cancer AND radiation therapy).

Results: This review highlighted the lack of prospective and randomized data guiding treatment algorithms for ACC. Four retrospective studies explored the impact of postoperative radiation and concluded that postoperative radiation contributes to improved survival.

Conclusions: Thus, a consideration for radiotherapy indications in ACC of the breast could be further elucidated through prospective randomized studies.

Keywords: adenoid cystic carcinoma; adjuvant radiotherapy; breast cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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    1. Ghabach B, Anderson WF, Curtis RE, et al. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast in the United States (1977 to 2006): a population-based cohort study. Breast Cancer Res. 2010;12:R54.
    1. Treitl D, Radkani P, Rizer M, et al. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast, 20 years of experience in a single center with review of literature. Breast Cancer. 2018;25:28–33.
    1. Mery B, Witmeyer S, Tredan O, et al. 110P Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: a case series of 17 patients and literature review. Ann Oncol. 2021;32:S70.
    1. Boujelbene N, Khabir A, Boujelbene N, et al. Clinical review – breast adenoid cystic carcinoma. The Breast. 2012;21:124–127.

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