Intrapancreatic mass: A rare cause

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Extragastrointestinal GISTs (EGISTs) are rare, accounting for only 2-5% of all GISTs.
• Pancreatic EGISTs are exceptionally rare, often presenting diagnostic challenges due to their location.

Observation:

• A patient initially suspected of having pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection.
• The surgical procedure involved an open left hemipancreatectomy and en bloc splenectomy.
• Postoperative histopathological examination revealed the tumor to be a pancreatic extraintestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (pEGIST).

Findings:

• The unexpected diagnosis of pEGIST was confirmed post-surgery.
• The patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery following the surgical intervention.
• A follow-up period of 23 months showed no evidence of tumor recurrence.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of thorough histopathological evaluation for accurate diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms.
• Early detection and surgical management of pEGIST can lead to favorable patient outcomes.
• Further research into the characteristics and management of rare pancreatic tumors like pEGIST is warranted.