Rapidly Progressing Anaplastic Carcinoma of the Pancreas with Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: An Autopsy Case Report

Abstract

A 75-year-old man visited our hospital for the examination of a tumor in the pancreas. Computed tomography showed an 85×85-mm low-density tumor in the pancreas. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated carcinoma by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Although we started chemotherapy, the patient died 84 days after the diagnosis. An autopsy demonstrated a ruptured anaplastic carcinoma with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas. Anaplastic carcinoma with mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a very rare histologic subtype of pancreatic carcinoma, so pathological findings are important for predicting the patient's prognosis. Physicians should be aware of this rare but fatal disease.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas: A case report and literature review

“…Up to now, only 10 cases of primary MECs of the pancreas have been described in the literature (Table 2). [6,9,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The patients included 7 males and 3 females, with ages ranging from 48 to 75 years, with a mean age of 60.7. Three tumors were detected in the head of the pancreas, 4 in the body, and 2 in the tail.…”

“…Of the 10 previously reported cases, only 1 patient underwent CRTC1-MAML2 fusion examination, which was also negative. [14] In summary, primary MECs of the pancreas are rare and have poor prognosis. There are few studies on the diagnosis, treatment, and metastasis of MECs.…”

“…Of the 10 previously reported cases, only 1 patient underwent CRTC1-MAML2 fusion examination, which was also negative. [14]…”

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the intrahepatic bile duct: A case report

“…MEC from the pancreas, colon, and breast, as rare as hepatobiliary MEC, has been reported. 25 , 26 , 27 They also have exocrine glands that can be the origin of MEC. MEC can also arise from the thyroid gland.…”

“…Other structures where MEC can arise, such as the bronchi and esophagus, also have exocrine glands. MEC from the pancreas, colon, and breast, as rare as hepatobiliary MEC, has been reported 25–27 . They also have exocrine glands that can be the origin of MEC.…”