Primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas: a case report and review of literature.
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor for which only 21 reports appear in the world literature. We describe an additional case of pancreatic leiomyosarcoma in a 76-year-old man, who complained of persistent high fever. Histologic examination revealed a pleomorphic spindle cell tumor. Reactivity for muscle-specific actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and basement membrane components, along with negative staining for epithelial and neural markers, were consistent with a smooth muscle sarcoma. The patient died of disease 1 year after complete surgical excision. This report highlights the need to use a complete antibody panel in order to accurately immunophenotype pleomorphic malignant tumors of the pancreas. A review of the cases compiled in the literature indicates that pancreatic leiomyosarcoma, like its counterpart arising in deep soft tissues, is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by short survival and a high rate of metastases.
Nesi
G
G
Department of Pathology, University of Florence, Italy.
Pantalone
D
D
Ragionieri
I
I
Amorosi
A
A
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D000199:Actins; D007797:Laminin; D003094:Collagen