[Dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of the pancreatic duct epithelium]

Abstract

Histopathologic aspects of metaplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of the pancreas are described and diagnostic difficulties discussed. Morphological lesions of the pancreatic ducts were studied in 200 control autopsy cases, and in 85 clinical cases with primary pancreatic carcinoma. The following groups of morphologic lesions can be differentiated with sufficient reliability: normal ductepithelium, metaplasia and hyperplasia; mild and moderate epithelial dysplasia; severe dysplasia including carcinoma in situ; invasive ductal/ductular carcinoma. Important for a reliable diagnosis are good specimens and good histological sections. Severe dysplasia including carcinoma in situ in areas surrounding invasive carcinomas as well as isolated severe dysplasia herald a high risk of progressive tumor disease for the patient.