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Update on pancreatic endocrine tumors
1Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1218, USA. wendy.frankel@osumc.edu
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|July 13, 2006
Summary
Pancreatic endocrine tumors are rare neoplasms with indolent behavior and common long-term survival. Awareness of morphologic variants and use of immunohistochemistry are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) constitute 1-2% of pancreatic neoplasms.
- These tumors typically exhibit indolent behavior, with long-term survival being common.
- Patients may present with hormonal excess symptoms, mass effect, or be asymptomatic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of pancreatic endocrine tumors.
- To highlight the variability in morphology and diagnostic challenges.
- To emphasize the importance of immunohistochemistry in differentiating PETs.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinicopathologic features of pancreatic endocrine tumors.
- Discussion of differential diagnoses, including chronic pancreatitis and other pancreatic malignancies.
- Emphasis on surgical resection as the primary treatment modality.
Main Results:
- PETs are generally well-circumscribed with an organoid growth pattern.
- Differential diagnosis includes chronic pancreatitis, ductal adenocarcinoma, and other rare tumors.
- Metastasis and adjacent structure invasion are key prognostic indicators.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors requires awareness of morphologic variants.
- Immunohistochemical stains are essential to avoid misdiagnosis.
- Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for these tumors.
