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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Pancreatic Islet Embedding for Paraffin Sections
Published on: June 29, 2018
Population-based study of islet cell carcinoma.
James C Yao1, Milton P Eisner, Colleen Leary
1Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. jyao@mdanderson.org
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|September 27, 2007
Summary
Islet cell carcinoma survival is poor, especially in advanced stages, with a median of only 2 years. Prognostic factors include stage, tumor location, and age at diagnosis, highlighting the need for new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Islet cell carcinoma is a rare pancreatic cancer.
- Understanding its epidemiology and survival is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the epidemiology, natural history, and prognostic factors of islet cell carcinoma.
- To determine survival duration and identify predictors of outcome.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database (1973-2003).
- Identified cases of islet cell carcinoma using histology codes and tumor site.
- Employed multivariate Cox proportional modeling to analyze survival predictors.
Main Results:
- 1310 cases were identified with a median age of 59 years.
- Incidence rates showed a slight decline over time.
- Median survival was 38 months, significantly varying by stage (localized: 124 months; regional: 70 months; distant: 23 months).
- Stage, primary tumor location, and age at diagnosis were significant predictors of survival.
Conclusions:
- Islet cell carcinomas represent about 1.3% of pancreatic cancers.
- The majority of patients present with advanced disease.
- Survival for advanced islet cell carcinoma remains poor (approx. 2 years), necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
