A case of malignant cystic endocrine tumor of the pancreas.
A malignant pancreatic endocrine tumor with a cystic appearance in a 66-yr-old woman was reported. Total pancreatectomy was performed under the diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma. The tumor was large and cystic, but the solid portion of the tumor showed histologically a ribbon-like array of small uniform cells typical for endocrine tumors. Immunohistochemically, most tumor cells were immunoreactive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and Leu 7-epitope. Ultrastructurally, innumerable neurosecretory granules were demonstrated in the cytoplasm of most tumor cells. The patient survived for 5.5 yr after operation despite liver metastases, some of which also showed cystic appearances.
D000368:Aged; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure