This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (scalp)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignant tumour of eccrine glands. A similar histological form is seen more commonly in the salivary glands of the oral cavity.

Clinically, it presents with slow-growing, nodular lesions on the scalp. Pain may be suprisingly severe for the size of the lesion.

Histologically, there is aggressive invasion into nerve and bone. There is a cribriform arrangement of cells.

Treatment is by excision as it is not radiosensitive. Due to its extensive invasion, it is worth considering intraoperative frozen section to ensure adequate margins.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.