Abstract
Background Acinar cell carcinomas of the pancreas are rare neoplasms. Usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, in general they are large solid pancreatic tumours with an average size of more than 10 cm. Aims and results We report 3 cases of acinar cell carcinomas involving the peripancreatic lymph nodes, the liver hilum and the colon respectively, without clinical or pathological evidence of pancreatic tumours. These highly cellular neoplasms showed a predominantly acinar cell differentiation intermingled with a ductal component, with intracellular or extracellular mucin production by at least 25% of tumour cells. In addition, one case showed endocrine differentiation. Diffuse immunoreactivity for acinar enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin was present in all cases. Conclusion The occurrence of acinar cell carcinomas outside the pancreas underlines the notion that acinar cell carcinomas may originate in extrapancreatic sites and probably develop from heterotopic or metaplastic pancreatic foci present along the biliary tract.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call