title: Hepatoid variant of pancreatic cancer: insights from a case and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  "Hepatoid" cancer refers to an extrahepatic neoplasm with hepatocellular differentiation. The stomach is the most common site and pancreatic origin is distinctly uncommon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a patient with hepatoid pancreatic tumor who presented with inoperable metastatic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum levels or tissue staining with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) may not be a reliable tumor marker in these cases and an experienced pathologist and appropriate immunohistochemical staining are essential for early diagnosis. This report incorporates a comprehensive literature review outlining the clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties, management and outcomes associated with this rare pathological entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut. Farmington, CT 06030, USA. smajumder@resident.uchc.edu
authors.forename: Shounak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majumder
authors.forename: Constantin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dasanu
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; C400901:CAM 5.2 antigen; D014746:Vimentin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007633:Keratins