Colloid (mucinous non-cystic) carcinoma of the pancreas: A case report

Abstract

Colloid carcinoma (CC) of the pancreas, also known as mucinous non-cystic carcinoma, is a rare histological variant of pancreatic cancer. The present study reports the case of a 65-year-old male with a pancreatic head tumor 4.6×3.1 cm in size. The tumor had not invaded the superior mesenteric or celiac arteries. Laboratory data showed elevated alkaline phosphatase, γ-gluytamyl transpeptidase and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the pathology revealed CC extending to the submucosa of the duodenum, with mild atypical hyperplasia of the pancreatic duct. The patient was negative for circulating tumor cells, indicating a good prognosis. The CA19-9 concentration decreased to within the normal range following surgery. The present study reports a rare case of CC of the pancreas presenting with obstructive jaundice, in which a PD procedure was performed. Primary surgical treatment with curative intent is the optimal management and this subtype of pancreatic cancer is associated with a better prognosis compared with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: circulating tumor cell; colloid carcinoma; diagnose; pancreaticoduodenectomy; prognose.

Figure 1.

Abdominal computed tomography with contrast at (A) artery and (B) venous phases, revealing a mass located in the uncinate process of the pancreas. 1, Pancreatic mass; 2, superior mesenteric vein; 3, superior mesenteric artery; 4, abdominal aorta; 5, inferior veno cava; 6, duodenum.

Figure 2.

Abdominal artery computed tomography in the (A) anterior and (B) lateral views, showing that the mass had not invaded the superior mesenteric artery and celiac artery. 1, Abdominal aorta; 2, celiac artery; 3, superior mesenteric artery; 4, common hepatic artery; 5, splenic artery.

Figure 3.

Pathological examination. (A) Examination of the specimen showing invasion of colloid carcinoma into the duodenal wall (hematoxylin and eosin staining; magnification, ×100). (B) Mucin pools with floating clumps and strands of malignant tumor cells were present. The mucin pools were lined by cuboidal, well-differentiated epithelium (hematoxylin and eosin staining; magnification, ×200).