Adenocarcinoma arising in gastric heterotopic pancreas: a case report

A heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract is mostly found incidentally and its malignant transformation is extremely rare. We describe the second case of adenocarcinoma arising in a gastric heterotopic pancreas of an asymptomatic 35-yr-old man in Korea. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor with an irregular central umbilication in the gastric antrum. A wedge resection specimen demonstrated a submucosal oligolocular cystic mass (1.7 x 1.4 x 1.2 cm) with a solid portion. Microscopically, the cystic portion was composed of dilated pancreaticobiliary type ducts with adjacent small foci of periductal glandular structures. The adenocarcinoma components in the solid area infiltrated the proper muscle and the overlying mucosa of the stomach. The transitional area between the benign ductal structures and the adenocarcinoma component was found. The follow-up course was uneventful 5 months postoperatively.