Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Reprogramming Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to Pluripotency
Published on: February 2, 2024
Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with and without endocrine differentiation
I T Virlos1, I M Papazachariou, R C N Wiliamson
1Department of Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Background:
Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare pancreatic neoplasm, representing 1% of exocrine tumours and containing a variable endocrine component. Three recent cases of ACC are reported.
Case Outlines:
A 72-year-old man with painless obstructive jaundice had a 5-cm mass in the head of pancreas resected by Whipple's operation; histopathological examination showed a typical ACC. A 33-year-old man with weight loss and abnormal liver function had a dilated biliary tree but no mass on imaging. Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed, and histology showed a mixed acinar-neuro-endocrine tumour. A 56-year-old man with weight loss and a palpable mass had a 15-cm mass in the distal body of pancreas, which was resected en bloc with the spleen and adherent stomach; it was a cystic ACC.
Results:
Two patients are alive and free of disease at 30 months and 15 months, while the third patient with locally advanced disease died of myocardial infarction at 9 weeks.
Discussion:
Acinar structures are the hallmark of this neoplasm, which carries a better survival rate than ductal cancer. Surgical excision prolongs survival and offers the best chance of cure.
Related Concept Videos
Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
