Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare condition. The incidence has been estimated at approximately 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. The histogenesis is uncertain, but it has been proposed to originate from areas of squamous metaplasia of pancreatic ductal epithelium. We present a case of a 56-year-old man who presented with back pain and was found to have a squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas without evidence of metastatic disease. Three months after en bloc resection with negative margins and lymph nodes, he presented with widely metastatic disease. A review of the literature on the topic is presented, and the poor prognosis of this rare tumor, despite complete surgical resection, is discussed.