OBSOLETE: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the corpus uteri

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the corpus uteri (body of the uterus) is an extremely rare type of cancer that develops in the main body of the womb. This condition is classified as 'obsolete' in the Orphanet database, meaning it is no longer tracked as a separate disease entry, likely because it has been reclassified or merged into a broader category of rare uterine cancers. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a type of cancer more commonly found in the salivary glands, but it can very rarely occur in other parts of the body, including the uterus. When it does appear in the uterus, it tends to behave differently from the more common types of uterine cancer such as endometrial adenocarcinoma. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding (especially after menopause), pelvic pain, unusual vaginal discharge, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the pelvis. Because this cancer is so rare, there is no standardized treatment protocol specific to it. Treatment typically follows general principles used for other rare uterine cancers and may include surgery (such as hysterectomy), radiation therapy, and sometimes chemotherapy. The rarity of this condition means that most knowledge comes from individual case reports rather than large clinical studies, making it important for patients to seek care at specialized cancer centers with experience in rare gynecologic tumors.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.What stage is my cancer, and has it spread beyond the uterus?,What treatment plan do you recommend, and what are the goals of each treatment?,How experienced is your team with this very rare type of uterine cancer?,Are there any clinical trials available for adenoid cystic carcinoma?,What side effects should I expect from the recommended treatments?,How often will I need follow-up visits, and what will monitoring involve?,Should molecular or genetic testing be done on my tumor to look for targetable mutations?

Common questions about OBSOLETE: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the corpus uteri