[Rapidly progressing cyst of the pancreas as a manifestation of an undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells].
METHODS
A 62-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain.


METHODS
Examination revealed a 3 cm large cyst of the pancreatic head accompanied by an acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
The cystic mass showed rapid increase. After explorative laparatomy a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. The tumor grew rapidly and the patient died 10 weeks after admission.


CONCLUSIONS
An undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant-cells is a very rare cystic tumor of the pancreas. An accurate preoperative diagnosis of cystic tumors is only achieved in about 30 percent. Therefore, surgical exploration should be considered for all cystic neoplasms and cystic tumors that are not clearly defined.
Breidert
M
M
Medizinische Klinik I, Stadtklinik Baden-Baden, Klinikum Mittelbaden, Baden-Baden, Germany. M.Breidert@klinikum-mittelbaden.de
Funke
M
M
Marko
C
C
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen