Mucin-producing tumor of the pancreas: a unique clinical entity.
We report our experience with nine patients with "mucin-producing tumor of the pancreas," in which abundant mucin secreted by the tumor cells played a major role in the characteristic alterations of the pancreatic duct system. Four of nine patients presented with pancreatitis. Ultrasound and computed tomography demonstrated a well-defined cystic mass and dilated main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed ductectatic character, i.e., diffuse dilatation of main duct and/or cystic dilatation of the branch ducts with filling defects of mucin. Ultrasound proved to be a good screening test. However, the diagnosis was confirmed on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Nine of our cases had no peripancreatic invasion or metastasis, resulting in a good prognosis after pancreatectomy. Mucin-producing tumor of the pancreas is a unique clinical entity that should be distinguished from "common" pancreatic carcinomas, and a favorable prognosis can be expected after surgical operation.
Obara
T
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan.
Maguchi
H
H
Saitoh
Y
Y
Ura
H
H
Koike
Y
Y
Kitazawa
S
S
Namiki
M
M
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed