title: Resection of a non-functioning islet cell carcinoma occupying the entire pancreas.
abstract: A 46-year-old woman with jaundice was found to have enlargement of the entire pancreas on computed tomography. Endoscopy revealed a tumor at the papilla of Vater, although examination of biopsy specimens did not demonstrate a malignancy. The jaundice resolved spontaneously, but reappeared at 7 months. Also noted was increased swelling of the papilla. The serum pancreatic endocrine and exocrine hormone concentrations were within the reference ranges. At surgery, a hard mass was found occupying the entire pancreas. Examination of incisional biopsy specimens from the pancreatic mass and papilla of Vater revealed an islet cell tumor. A total pancreatectomy was performed. The tumor extended from the pancreatic tail to the papilla of Vater. Histopathologic and immunopathologic examination revealed a non-functional islet cell carcinoma. There was no evidence of recurrence at 3 years. A good outcome can be achieved with resection of non-functioning islet cell carcinomas, even if they are advanced.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Osaka City University Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murase
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirohashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shuto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamba
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikebe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakasa
mesh_terms: D014670:Ampulla of Vater / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018273:Carcinoma, Islet Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed