alpha-Fetoprotein-producing adenocarcinoma of the pancreas presenting focal hepatoid differentiation.
We report a rare case of pancreatic carcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), showing focal hepatoid differentiation in metastatic lymph nodes. A 65-yr-old female was admitted because of abdominal pain. The serum AFP was measured at 16,170 ng/mL. Radiological examinations revealed a mass measuring 6 cm in diameter in the body and tail of the pancreas. A right supraclavicular lymphadenopathy was found and biopsied. Light microscopy showed a tumor consisting of a portion of a hepatoid area and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was suggestive of a hepatoid adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor cells expressed AFP, alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT) and albumin. Although the pathological diagnosis of the primary pancreatic tumor was not obtained, this appears to be the first case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Tanno
S
S
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan.
Obara
T
T
Fujii
T
T
Izawa
T
T
Mizukami
Y
Y
Saitoh
Y
Y
Ura
H
H
Kohgo
Y
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins