Malignant papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas

An example of the rare papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas was diagnosed cytologically by aspiration of the primary neoplasm. Subsequently, it metastasized, proving its low-grade malignant behavior. Diagnostic cytomorphologic features included abundant straight and branched papillary tissue fragments, and uniform, pale nuclei with folds or grooves. Although the primary tumor had a typical histologic appearance, metastases demonstrated increased nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromasia, bizarre tumor giant cells, and an increased mitotic rate. Vimentin was diffusely positive, whereas neuron-specific enolase and somatostatin were focally and weakly reactive. Neurosecretory and zymogen granules were absent ultrastructurally. By flow cytometric study, the tumor was aneuploid (DNA Index = 1.3).