Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas. Report of a patient with tumor marker studies.
BACKGROUND
Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare type of pancreatic neoplasm.


METHODS
The authors report the clinical and pathologic aspects of a patient with this malignant lesion and an extensive serologic and immunohistochemical survey of potential ectopically produced hormones or tumor markers.


RESULTS
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) emerged as a tumor marker.


CONCLUSIONS
NSE could be valuable in the diagnosis and management of other patients with this rare disease.
O'Connor
T P
TP
Department of Surgery, John Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Louis, MO.
Wade
T P
TP
Sunwoo
Y C
YC
Reimers
H J
HJ
Palmer
D C
DC
Silverberg
A B
AB
Johnson
F E
FE
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006729:Hormones, Ectopic / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006729:Hormones, Ectopic; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase