Address of Corresponding Author

Pancreatology 2005;5:279-284 (DOI: 10.1159/000085283)

  Key Words

• Giant cell
• Osteoclast-like
• Adenocarcinoma
• Pancreatic tumor
• Immunohistochemistry
• Histogenesis

  Abstract

Background/Aims: The osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas is a rare entity that closely resembles giant cell tumor of the bone, which has also been observed in many other organs. Some tumors also contain areas of ductal adenocarcinoma. Conflicting opinions exist regarding the tumor origin, whether it is mesenchymal or epithelial, neoplastic or reactive. Methods: We report the case of a 69-year-old Brazilian man with a mass in the head of the pancreas, the histological examination of which revealed a predominant component of osteoclast-like giant cells within a background of pleomorphic mononuclear cells with osteoid formation and other areas composed of conventional mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma. Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that carcinoma cells of the usual type expressed epithelial antigens (EMA and cytokeratin) and lysozyme; the giant cells expressed vimentin, CD45, CD68, and lysozyme; and the mononuclear cells expressed macrophage marker (HAM56), vimentin, and lysozyme, and only some of them expressed epithelial markers, CD45, and CD68. Conclusion: Our immunohistochemical findings reveal that the giant cells in this case are of mesenchymal origin may be from the bone marrow cells. We believe that it is important to determine the histogenesis in each case to carry out the pertinent adjuvant therapy.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP

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  Author Contacts

Dr. Gisele A. Nai
Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica e Citopatologia, UNOESTE
Rua José Bongiovani, 700
19050-900 Presidente Prudente, São Paulo (Brazil)
Tel. +55 18 229 1059, Fax +55 18 229 1013, E-Mail gica@muranet.com.br

  Article Information

Published online: April 21, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 21

  Publication Details

Pancreatology

Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Year 2005 (Cover Date: 2005)

Journal Editor: M.V. Singer, Mannheim; C.W. Imrie, Glasgow
ISSN: 1424-3903 (print), 1424-3911 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/pan

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