Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas Presenting With Likely Paraneoplastic Features

Abstract

Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas (SCCP) is a rare malignancy, and has been associated with paraneoplastic features in only 2 reported cases. We report a rare and fatal case of SCCP with likely paraneoplastic features in a previously well 67-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain. She was found to have abnormal biochemical markers (hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia) with a normal abdominal CT. Emergency laparotomy identified a mass at the head of the pancreas and liver metastases, she died soon after, and diagnosis was confirmed post-mortem.

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas Presenting as Lower Extremity Swelling

“…Two cases have described associated paraneoplastic syndromes similar to those well recognized in small cell lung cancer [1]. Our patient passed away before further workup, but her unusual symptoms further emphasize the often atypical presentations of this malignancy.…”

“…The majority of patients present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and jaundice though there have been a few cases with unusual presentations such as hyperkalemia [1] and hypercalcemia [2].…”

The Role of Hyponatraemia Before Surgery in Patients With Radical Resected Pancreatic Cancer

“…34 Some rare cases of ectopic antidiuretic hormone production were described in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. [35][36][37] We observed hyponatraemia in 14% of patients with early stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Hyponatraemia has been identified as a negative prognostic and predictive factor in…”

Dramatic Response of a Metastatic Primary Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas to a Trial of Immunotherapy with Nivolumab: A Case Report

“…Fewer than 50 cases have been reported in the literature; hence, there is limited knowledge about its natural history, treatment options, and outcomes. Clinically, they appear to behave in ways that resemble histologically similar SCLC including their tendency to be widely metastatic at the time of diagnosis with poor prognosis [ 1 , 2 ], better initial response to chemotherapy [ 3 ], and their association with paraneoplastic syndrome [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Two reviews of previously reported cases suggest average age at diagnosis in the sixth decade of life, widely varying survival, and male preponderance of cases with most tumors originating in the head of the pancreas [ 1 , 2 ].…”