Giant cell tumor of the pancreas: a pathological diagnosis with poor prognosis.
BACKGROUND
Giant cell tumors are rare and highly malignant tumors of the pancreas. Based on two distinct cell populations, they have been divided into two subtypes corresponding to the osteoclast-like giant cell tumor and the pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Distinctive imaging features of the tumors remain uncharacterized. Surgical removal is the only appropriate treatment for them, but responses to chemotherapy or radiotherapy remain undocumented.


METHODS
Clinical, radiological, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of two cases of giant cell tumor of the pancreas are presented along with a brief review of the literature.


RESULTS
En-bloc resection was done successfully in both cases. The patient with an osteoclast-like giant cell tumor remained disease-free with no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence at 6 months after surgery. However, the patient with the pleomorphic type died 4 months later due to diffuse pulmonary metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
En-bloc surgical resection is the only appropriate treatment for giant cell tumors. The overall prognosis of these tumors is poorer than that of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially the pleomorphic type. More studies are required to document the management and outcomes of the tumors.
Singhal
Ashish
A
Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, USA.
Shrago
Stan S
SS
Li
Shi-Feng
SF
Huang
Yi
Y
Kohli
Vivek
V
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome