Combined serous cystadenoma and pancreatic endocrine neoplasm. A case report with a brief review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

The presence of a combined serous cystadenoma and pancreatic endocrine neoplasm is a distinct clinicopathological entity rather than the incidental concurrence of two separate entities.

METHODS

We report the case of a 52-year-old woman admitted to our hospital who had suffered from epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting for 4 months. Imaging techniques showed an irregular mass having a mixed solid and cystic consistency, arising from the body of the pancreas and involving the lesser sac. This mass went beyond the stomach and above the lesser curvature of the stomach. The diagnosis of combined microcystic adenoma and pancreatic endocrine neoplasm was made. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and is well two months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This case emphasizes the importance of careful gross examination, sampling and reporting of pancreatic tumors. The coexistence of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms with potential malignant behavior may be overshadowed by obvious benign tumors such as a microcystic serous cystadenoma. The malignant potential and prognostic features of this neoplasm require long-term follow-up and additional data from subsequent reports of such cases.