Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas

Rare Solid Pancreatic Lesions on Cross-Sectional Imaging

Several solid lesions can be found within the pancreas mainly arising from the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic tissue. Among all pancreatic malignancies, the most common subtype is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), to a point that pancreatic cancer and PDAC are used interchangeably. But, in addition to PDAC, and to the other most common and well-known solid lesions, either related to benign conditions, such as pancreatitis, or not so benign, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs), there are solid pancreatic lesions considered rare due to their low incidence. These lesions may originate from a cell line with a differentiation other than exocrine/endocrine, such as from the nerve sheath as for pancreatic schwannoma or from mesenchymal cells as for solitary fibrous tumour. These rare solid pancreatic lesions may show a behaviour that ranges in a benign to highly aggressive malignant spectrum. This review includes cases of an intrapancreatic accessory spleen, pancreatic tuberculosis, solid serous cystadenoma, solid pseudopapillary tumour, pancreatic schwannoma, purely intraductal neuroendocrine tumour, pancreatic fibrous solitary tumour, acinar cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic-like giant cells, adenosquamous carcinoma, colloid carcinoma of the pancreas, primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas, primary and secondary pancreatic lymphoma and metastases within the pancreas. Therefore, it is important to determine the correct diagnosis to ensure optimal patient management. Because of their rarity, their existence is less well known and, when depicted, in most cases incidentally, the correct diagnosis remains challenging. However, there are some typical imaging features present on cross-sectional imaging modalities that, taken into account with the clinical and biological context, contribute substantially to achieve the correct diagnosis.

Survival and Prognostic Factors in Patients With Pancreatic Colloid Carcinoma Compared With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Colloid carcinoma (CC) is a rare subtype of pancreatic carcinoma. The aims of the study are to characterize the clinicopathological features and to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with CC.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic CC and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) between 2004 and 2016 were identified from the National Cancer Database using International Classification of Disease-O-3 morphology (8480/3 and 8140/3) and topography (C25) codes. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze OS.

RESULTS

Fifty-six thousand eight hundred forty-six patients were identified. A total of 2430 patients (4.3%) were diagnosed with pancreatic CC. Males constituted 52.8% of CC and 52.2% of PDAC. Colloid carcinoma presented with pathological stage I disease more often (16.7% vs 5.9%) and stage IV disease less often (42.1% vs 52.4%) than PDAC (P < 0.001). Stage I CC received chemotherapy (36.0% vs 59.4%) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4.4% vs 14.2%) less often compared with PDAC (P < 0.001). Statistically significant improved OS was seen among stage I, II, and IV CC compared with PDAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic CC presented as stage I disease more often compared with PDAC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered more often in stage I PDAC compared with CC. Colloid carcinoma had improved OS compared with PDAC among all stages except stage III.

Assessment of pancreatic colloid carcinoma using 18F-FDG PET/CT compared with MRI and enhanced CT

Pancreatic colloid carcinoma (CC) is a rare sub-type of pancreatic adenocarcinoma which has an improved prognosis compared with pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Consequently, the early detection of CC by imaging may be of great significance in guiding patient management and therapeutic decisions. The present study aimed to analyze ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings of CC in comparison to MRI and CT. PET/CT findings in 5 patients with CC were retrospectively reviewed based on visual interpretation and semi-quantitative index of SUV_max and TNR. Four patients received dual-time-point PET/CT scans. Additionally, one patient underwent contrast-enhanced CT scan, one MRI, and three received both. A total of five lesions were detected in five patients. Visually, two cases presented with mild FDG uptake, two with moderate and one with high. The mean of SUV_max and TNR was 5.1±2.2 and 2.8±0.7, respectively. Compared with CCs with low SUV_max, CCs with high SUV_max were more aggressive. No distant metastases were observed in five cases. Among four patients with dual-time-point PET/CT imaging, SUV_max increased in three cases and decreased in one case. The mean early and delayed SUV_max were 4.2±1.1 and 4.7±1.9, respectively (P>0.05). Radiological findings mainly included septated cystic components, internal sponge-like contrast-enhancement, calcification and 'salt-and-pepper sign' on MRI T2-weighted imaging. Thus, PET/CT provided additional information on metabolic tumor activity as well as locoregional and distant staging, which are important prognostic markers and may improve further patient management. However, PET/CT did not show any findings in addition to MRI and contrast-enhanced CT that were unique to CC and allowed a clear differentiation from other pancreatic malignancies.

Colloid Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare type of pancreatic cancer that has a more indolent course and superior long-term survival compared to ductal adenocarcinoma. There is a dearth of literature describing this diagnosis due to its rarity and its only recent recognition as a distinct clinical entity. We present two cases of patients with colloid carcinoma and discuss the presentation and management of this disease. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old man with repeated bouts of pancreatitis and a 72-year-old woman with symptoms of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency were both found to have cystic masses in the head of the pancreas. Both were identified as having at least mixed main duct/side branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) on appropriate workup with additional imaging and endoscopy. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was recommended. Both patients, however, were noted to have high-grade dysplasia at the resection margin intraoperatively on frozen section, and thus, total pancreatectomies were performed. Final pathology in each case demonstrated colloid carcinoma with no nodal spread of disease. The patients recovered well. Adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended. Conclusion: Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare pathologic diagnosis and is frequently associated with IPMN. Colloid carcinomas tend to present at earlier stages than do ductal adenocarcinomas and are known to have improved long-term survival. Surgical and systemic options for treatment parallel that of ductal adenocarcinoma due to the rarity of the diagnosis and the lack of trials assessing therapy for this specific diagnosis.

Colloid (mucinous non-cystic) carcinoma of the pancreas: A case report

Colloid carcinoma (CC) of the pancreas, also known as mucinous non-cystic carcinoma, is a rare histological variant of pancreatic cancer. The present study reports the case of a 65-year-old male with a pancreatic head tumor 4.6×3.1 cm in size. The tumor had not invaded the superior mesenteric or celiac arteries. Laboratory data showed elevated alkaline phosphatase, γ-gluytamyl transpeptidase and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the pathology revealed CC extending to the submucosa of the duodenum, with mild atypical hyperplasia of the pancreatic duct. The patient was negative for circulating tumor cells, indicating a good prognosis. The CA19-9 concentration decreased to within the normal range following surgery. The present study reports a rare case of CC of the pancreas presenting with obstructive jaundice, in which a PD procedure was performed. Primary surgical treatment with curative intent is the optimal management and this subtype of pancreatic cancer is associated with a better prognosis compared with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.