title: Signet ring carcinoma of the pancreas, a rare variant with very high CEA values. Immunohistologic comparison with adenocarcinoma.
abstract: Signet ring carcinoma of the pancreas is rare. We report a case which was remarkable for (1) diffuse, infiltrating growth which suggested chronic pancreatitis at laparotomy, and (2) an associated very high circulating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of 6400 ng/ml. The case report and autopsy are presented. Twelve other cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (non-signet ring) are compared with the signet ring carcinoma with respect to CEA staining and circulating levels. We conclude immunocytochemical staining of biopsy tissue for CEA is a useful adjunct in the interpretation of circulating CEA levels in pancreatic carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen