Neuroma (schwannoma). A rare pancreatic tumor

Abstract

Introduction: Neuroma (Schwannoma in Latin) is an encapsulated, mesenchymal tumor arising from Schwann cells surrounded by nerves. Hence it can be located in any area in the body with passing peripheral nerves. The most common location is the head, neck, and extremities. The tumor arising from Schwannoma cells was first described by Stout and Carson in 1935. Pancreatic schwannomas are extremely rare tumors. Until 2017, in English literature 68 cases have been described. Surgical treatment is the most common way of treating pancreatic schwannomas, and postoperative prognoses are good.

Case report: A 63-year-old patient was admitted to the Clinical Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Transplantation of the Central Clinical Hospital at the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw due to pancreatic head cancer. Needle biopsy-both ultrasound-guided and CT-guided as well as open biopsy for lesions in the pancreas did not show tumor cells in any of the collected samples. Abdominal CT in a projection of the uncinate process of the pancreas revealed an oval lesion highly suspected of neoplastic process. Next, diagnostics was extended by abdominal MRI which revealed a retroperitoneal tumorous thick-walled cystic mass filled with fluid. The patient was qualified for surgical treatment. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure) was done on August 22, 2017. Material sent for histopathological examination revealed Schwannoma capitis pancreatis. In surgical practice, pancreatic schwannoma occurs extremely rare, but in centers which conduct large numbers of surgical procedures in the pancreas, a case like this may occur.

Keywords: pancreas; pancreatoduodenectomy; schwannoma; tumor of pancreas.