Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells of pancreas: Case report and brief literature review

Abstract

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells is a distinctive rare neoplasm involving pancreas and rarely bile ducts. This neoplasm shows characteristic histologic features with variable admixture of mononuclear histiocytic cells, non- neoplastic osteoclastic giant cells and neoplastic mononuclear cell component. Though, this tumor has been shown to share genetic alterations with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, clinically, it behaves unpredictably with a substantial proportion of patient showing prolonged survival period. We present a case of this rare pancreatic tumour with brief literature review discussing the key pathologic features, immunophenotype, genetic profile and clinical behavior. Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells is a rare neoplasm in pancreas which is believed to be of epithelial origin and shares genetic aberrations with ductal adenocarcinoma. Despite this, these tumours have better prognosis with prolonged survival period.