Splenic infarction. A rare presentation of anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare variant of ductal adenocarcinoma. The histogenesis and biologic behavior of these tumors are still controversial. They occur in elderly men and are associated with a very poor prognosis.


METHODS
We report a case of advanced anaplastic carcinoma in a 41-year-old man who presented with splenic infarction. He had a prolonged survival of 16 months from diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Splenic infarction is a most unusual acute presentation of pancreatic carcinoma, which may require emergency tumor resection and splenectomy.
Wong
Manzhi
M
Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
See
Ju-Yaw
JY
Sufyan
Wajiha
W
Diddapur
Ravishankar K
RK
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D035583:Rare Diseases; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery