title: Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas: Case report and literature review of reported cases in Japan.
abstract: We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas (ACP) with cyst formation and review 60 ACP cases reported in Japan. In 20% of cases, laboratory tests revealed severe anemia (hemoglobin level < 10.0 g/dL) and elevated leucocyte counts (> 12000/mm3), which were likely attributable to rapid tumor growth, intratumoral hemorrhage, and necrosis. Elevated serum CA19-9 levels were observed in 55% of cases. Cyst-like structures were observed on imaging in 47% of cases, and this finding appears to reflect subsequent cystic degeneration in the lesion. Macroscopically, hemorrhagic necrosis was observed in 77% of cases, and cyst formation was observed in 33% of cases. ACP should be considered when diagnosing pancreatic tumors with a cyst-like appearance, especially in the presence of severe anemia, elevated leucocyte counts, or elevated serum CA19-9 levels.
authors: Sojun Hoshimoto, Junichi Matsui, Ryohei Miyata, Yutaka Takigawa, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan.
authors: Sojun
authors: S
authors: Hoshimoto
authors: Sojun Hoshimoto, Junichi Matsui, Ryohei Miyata, Yutaka Takigawa, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan.
authors: Junichi
authors: J
authors: Matsui
authors: Sojun Hoshimoto, Junichi Matsui, Ryohei Miyata, Yutaka Takigawa, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan.
authors: Ryohei
authors: R
authors: Miyata
authors: Sojun Hoshimoto, Junichi Matsui, Ryohei Miyata, Yutaka Takigawa, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan.
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Takigawa
authors: Sojun Hoshimoto, Junichi Matsui, Ryohei Miyata, Yutaka Takigawa, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba 272-8513, Japan.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Miyauchi
mesh_terms: D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen
keywords: Anaplastic carcinoma; Pancreatic cancer; Pleomorphic type; Prognosis; Undifferentiated carcinoma