Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

The cause of AdCC is unknown at this time, and risk factors for this type of cancer have not been proven consistently with scientific research. There is some evidence that the p53 tumor suppressor gene (a gene that limits cell growth by monitoring the rate at which cells divide) is somehow inactivated in advanced and aggressive forms of AdCC.