[ PRINT ] [ Printing FAQ ] About OncoLink Editorial Board Sponsors Help See Today's OncoTip Usage Statistics Virtual Classroom Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute "Confronting Cancer Through Art" is an exhibition by people whose lives have been touched by cancer. This week we are featuring artwork by: Jacqueline Kniewasser Pontypool, Ontario Visit the Children's Art Gallery This week's artwork was donated by a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment for cancer at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

OncoLink FAQ: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast Last Revision Date: Sunday, 14-Feb-1999 13:54:29 EST Copyright © 1994-1999, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania This is a response to a question about treatment options for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. Question: Dear OncoLink, I am in search of information concerning Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast, and for some type of protocol. My friend has this cancer. I am wondering if the anti-angiogenesis drugs, that are newly approved, would be beneficial for treatment of this rare breast cancer? Thank you, S.S. James P. Stevenson, MD Section Editor for the OncoLink Medical Oncology/Chemotherapy Menu, responds: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is rare (accounts for < 0.1% of breast cancers). Women with solitary tumors that are surgically resectable have a favorable prognosis. Local recurrences in the breast are the most common recurrence, and should be surgically removed. The most common site of distant disease is the lung, and this can occur years after removal of the primary. The only treatment for women with metastatic disease is chemotherapy, and the combination of cisplatin (or carboplatin), carboplatin, and etoposide (VP-16) has been the best studied. It's unclear from your question whether your friend just had a local tumor removed or if she has metastases. If it was a tumor that was surgically removed, she should be followed closely with no further treatment. A yearly chest x-ray would be reasonable. For metastatic disease, chemotherapy should be started. There are no trials of anti-angiogenic agents alone for adenoid cystic carcinoma. There are few (if any) chemotherapy trials for adenoid cystic carcinoma since it is uncommon. The only anti-angiogenic option would be a phase I trial but she should not consider this unless she has failed standard therapies. Please have your friend discuss these options with her oncologist.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER OncoLink is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through OncoLink should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.

For further information, consult the Editors at: editors@oncolink.upenn.edu