Related Experiment Videos
Pancreatic tumors in children: report of three cases
Insights
Pediatric pancreatic tumors, including pancreatoblastoma, can present with chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive. Early imaging is crucial for diagnosing these rare childhood abdominal masses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pancreatic tumors are rare in children.
- This study reviews three pediatric cases: two pancreatoblastomas (PB) and one solid cystic tumor (SCT).
Observation:
- Cases involved a 1-month-old, a 4-year-old, and a 13-year-old.
- Pancreatoblastomas presented with chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive; the SCT case had an abdominal mass.
- Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were noted in PB cases, but normal in the SCT case.
Findings:
- Abdominal sonography revealed pancreatic masses with potential calcification and mixed echogenicity (solid/cystic).
- All three pediatric patients underwent successful surgical tumor excision.
- A literature review found no reported cases of pancreatoblastoma presenting with chronic diarrhea in neonates or young children.
Implications:
- Suggests considering pancreatic tumors in young children with unexplained weight loss or abdominal masses.
- Highlights the importance of diagnostic imaging (ultrasonography, CT) for suspected pediatric pancreatic neoplasms.
- Contributes to understanding rare pediatric tumor presentations and diagnostic pathways.
Abstract:
From 1981 to 1996, we experienced 3 cases of pancreatic tumors in children--two pancreatoblastomas (PB) and one solid and cystic tumor (SCT). The ages were 1 month, 4 years, and 13 years of age respectively. The two cases of pancreatoblastoma initially presented as chronic diarrhea with failure to thrive, the other case presented with abdominal mass. All of them were studied by laboratory examination, ultrasonography, computed tomography and pathology. Increasing alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) levels were found in the 2 pancreatoblastoma cases, however, the level in the SCT case was normal. Abdominal sonography showed pancreatic masses with or without calcification, and the echogenicity may be solid and/or cystic. All patients underwent total excision of the tumors. We have reviewed the literature and find no pancreatoblastoma with chronic diarrhea was reported in young children, especially in neonate. Therefore, we suggest that young children presenting with an abdominal mass and/or weight loss should undergo imaging studies for the possibility of pancreatic tumors.