S. Tanno et al., alpha-fetoprotein-producing adenocarcinoma of the pancreas presenting focal hepatoid differentiation, INT J PANCR, 26(1), 1999, pp. 43-47
We report a rare case of pancreatic carcinoma producing a-fetoprotein (AFP)
, showing focal hepatoid differentiation in metastatic lymph nodes. A 65-yr
-old female was admitted because of abdominal pain. The serum AFP was measu
red at 16,170 ng/mL. Radiological examinations revealed a mass measuring 6
cm in diameter in the body and tail of the pancreas. A right supraclavicula
r lymphadenopathy was found and biopsied. Light microscopy showed a tumor c
onsisting of a portion of a hepatoid area and well-differentiated adenocarc
inoma, which was suggestive of a hepatoid adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemic
al analysis showed that the tumor cells expressed AFP, alpha(1)-antitrypsin
(AT) and albumin. Although the pathological diagnosis of the primary pancr
eatic tumor was not obtained, this appears to be the first case of hepatoid
adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.