Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a relatively uncommon tumour of salivary, glands and is characterised by a prolonged clinical course and a fatal outcome. It was first described as `cylindroma' by Billroth in 1859. Half of these tumors occur in glandular tissues other than the major salivary glands; principally in the hard palate, but they can also arise in the tongue and minor salivary glands. Unusual locations include the external auditory canal, nasopharynx, lacrimal glands, breast, vulva, esophagus, cervix and Cowper glands. The long natural history of this tumor and its tendency for local recurrence are well known. JMS 2012;15(1):76-77.
