Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify whether the various subtypes of serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) of the pancreas can be distinguished from each other by marker profiles.


METHODS
The immunoprofiles of 13 SCNs were defined by using antibodies against cytoskeletal, neuroendocrine, hormone receptor, and mucin markers. In addition, we examined the expression of calrentinin and alpha-inhibin.


RESULTS
SCN included 7 cases of serous microcystic adenomas (SMA), 3 cases of serous oligocystic ill-defined adenomas (SOIA), 1 case of solid serous adenoma (SSA), 1 case of von Hippel-Lindau-associated cystic neoplasm (VHL-CN), and 1 case of serous cystadenocarcinoma (SCC). These neoplasms are histologically similar, but differ in their localization, gross appearance, gender distribution, and biological behavior. The various types of SCNs showed a very similar immunoprofile, characterized by positivity for cytokeratins (100%) and negativity for vimentin and synaptophysin. Other markers that were commonly expressed in the SCNs were alpha-inhibin (85%), MUC1 (69%) and MUC6 (77%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that, despite their biologic differences, the various types of SCNs have the same (or a very similar) cell type and may therefore have a common direction of differentiation. A centroacinar origin is supported by the finding that a number of SCNs share MUC1 and MUC6 expression with pancreatic centroacinar cells. Alpha-inhibin, and MUC6 may be regarded as new markers for this type of pancreatic tumor.
Ji
Yuan
Y
Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. yji@zshospital.com
Wang
Xiu Nan
XN
Lou
Wen Hui
WH
Sujie
Akesu
A
Tan
Yun Shan
YS
Jin
Da Yong
DY
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor