Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells reported in an asymptomatic patient: a rare case and literature review

Authors

  • Ramen Sakhi St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Ameer Hamza St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Muhammad Siddique Khurram Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Warda Ibrar St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Paul Mazzara St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2017.042

Keywords:

Adenocarcinoma, Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal, Osteoclasts, Pancreatic Neoplasms.

Abstract

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGC) is a rare and poorly described pancreatic malignancy. It is comprised of mononuclear, pleomorphic, and undifferentiated cells as well as osteoclast-like giant cells (OGC’s). It constitutes less than 1% of pancreatic non-endocrine neoplasia and is twice as likely to occur in females as in males. Its histopathologic properties remain poorly understood. It is suspected that UC-OGC is of epithelial origin that can then transition to mesenchymal elements. As part of this study, we describe a case of a malignant pancreatic neoplasm that was discovered in a 69-year old patient as an incidental finding. We also provide an overview of previously published data to highlight UC-OGC’s clinical and pathologic features.

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Published

2017-12-12

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2017)

Section

Article / Clinical Case Report

License

Authors of articles published by Autopsy and Case Report retain the copyright of their work without restrictions, licensing it under the Creative Commons Attribution License - CC-BY, which allows articles to be re-used and re-distributed without restriction, as long as the original work is correctly cited.

How to Cite

Sakhi, R., Hamza, A., Khurram, M. S., Ibrar, W., & Mazzara, P. (2017). Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells reported in an asymptomatic patient: a rare case and literature review. Autopsy and Case Reports, 7(4), 51-57. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2017.042