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Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Application of Mid-Pancreatectomy with End-to-End Anastomosis in Pancreatic Benign Tumors
Published on: February 9, 2024
Pancreatic hamartoma
C D McFaul1, L J Vitone, F Campbell
1Department of Surgery, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract:
Pancreatic hamartoma is a rare benign lesion and may be mistaken for a malignancy, as demonstrated by two cases. The first case was a 29-year-old man who presented with a 7-month history of intermittent upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and a 15-kg weight loss. CT and MRI revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas. The second case was a 62-year-old man who presented with a 2-year history of intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting and a 25-kg weight loss. Although positron emission tomography was normal, CT revealed thickening of the duodenal wall and endoluminal ultrasonography revealed a tumour in the head of the pancreas. Both patients recovered from uneventful Kausch-Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy (in the first patient, it was pylorus-preserving), and in each case the histological diagnosis was hamartoma. Pancreatic hamartoma can present with vague, non-specific symptoms which, despite modern diagnostic tools, can be difficult to diagnose. Surgical resection with histopathological examination is required to confirm the diagnosis.
Insights
Pancreatic hamartoma is a rare benign tumor that can mimic malignancy. Surgical resection and histopathology are essential for accurate diagnosis of this challenging pancreatic lesion.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pancreatic hamartoma is a rare benign neoplasm.
- It can be misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer due to similar clinical presentations.
Observation:
- Two cases of pancreatic hamartoma are presented, involving a 29-year-old and a 62-year-old male.
- Both patients exhibited non-specific symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and significant weight loss.
- Diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, endosonography) revealed pancreatic head masses, but definitive diagnosis required surgical intervention.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination confirmed hamartoma in both cases after Kausch-Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy.
- Despite advanced imaging, differentiating hamartoma from malignancy preoperatively remains challenging.
Implications:
- This highlights the importance of considering pancreatic hamartoma in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses.
- Surgical resection followed by histopathological analysis is crucial for confirming the diagnosis and ensuring appropriate patient management.
