[Retroperitoneal and pancreatic mucinous tumors. Immunohistochemical study]

Examples of mucinous tumors from retroperitoneum (2) and pancreas (1) were studied. These tumors share many morphological similarities with ovarian mucinous tumour and adenoma malignum of uterine cervix. They have a similar spectrum of endocrine cells; serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide cells were characterized. In nonproliferative areas was found a well-differentiated mucinous columnar epithelium with scarce endocrine cell. In more proliferative areas were found either a mucinous columnar lining with infolds and secondary glands or a less well-differentiated intestinal-type epithelium with papillary formations; both linings were well supplied in endocrine cells.