Cytologic findings in noninvasive intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinomaof the pancreas - A report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas is a n ew diagnostic term proposed by the 1996 World Health Organization classific ation of the exocrine pancreas. So far, there have been only a few reports concerning its cytologic findings, especially in noninvasive cases. CASES: The clinical and cytohistologic findings in two cases of noninvasive intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas were reviewed. Cy tologic specimens were obtained from pure pancreatic juice in the dilated m ain pancreatic duct during the operation case 1) and during endoscopic retr ograde pancreatography (ERP) tense 2). Both cases showed three-dimensionall y or individually scattered tumor cells with an increased nuclear/cytoplasm ic ratio and prominent nucleoli. CONCLUSION: Our cases suggest that pancreatic juice cytology during ERP or surgery is useful in diagnosing pancreatic cancers and that it may detect n oninvasive intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas.