Mixed exocrine-endocrine tumors of the pancreas

Neoplasms of the pancreas usually show either ductal, acinar, or endocrine differentiation. Mixed exocrine-endocrine pancreatic neoplasms, in which th e endocrine component is significant and comprises one-third to one-half of the tumor tissue, are rare, Truly mixed tumors have to be distinguished fr om exocrine neoplasms with scattered endocrine cells. In ductal adenocarcin omas, the scattered endocrine cells seem to be nonneoplastic. In other mali gnancies such as acinar cell carcinoma and pancreatoblastoma, scattered end ocrine cells most likely represent an integral component of the tumor, Copy right (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.