Objective Through detecting the expression of erbB-2 and erbB-3 of epithelial growth factor receptor family in clinical specimens of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma, to explore the role of erbB-2 and erbB-3 in the carcinogenesis and development of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. Methods Thirty-four specimens of adenoid cystic carcinoma were tested with immunohistochemical assay. Then the relationship between the expressions of erbB-2, erbB-3 and the gender, age of patients, TNM staging, tumor size and nerve invasion were analyzed.Results The positive expression ratios of erbB-2 and erbB-3 were 64. 7% and 32.4% respectively. And 29.4% of tumors were positively stained both by erbB-2 and erbB-3. The expression of erbB-3 was significantly correlated with TNM staging of tumors (P = 0. 026). The correlationship between the expressions of erbB-2 and erbB-3 was also found. Conclusions erbB-3 and erbB-2 may play important roles in the carcinogenesis and development of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. The positive expression of erbB-3 was associated with the biological behavior of tumors and prognosis of patients, and might become one of markers to evaluate the prognosis of patients.