[An autopsy case of mucin-producing pancreatic cancer]

A 85-year-old woman with a mucin-producing pancreatic cancer is reported. The patient, who had been diabetic for 2 years, was admitted in March of 1984 to our hospital because of a fever and cough. On admission, a hard tumor was found on the right hypochondric region. Ultrasonogram and computed tomography revealed a cystic pancreas head tumor containing mucin and a dilated pancreatic duct. During an ERCP examination, Vater's papilla was found to be enlarged and a biopsy showed papillary adenocarcinoma. Also, the levels of CEA and CA 19-9 were elevated 11.3 ng/ml and 1300 U/ml, respectively. On Feb. 13, 1985, she died due to panperitonitis that resulted from a perforated duodenal ulcer. Microscopic examination of the pancreas showed a papillary adenocarcinoma producing mucin, a dilated pancreatic duct and atrophy of the islets. No metastatic lesion was found. The pathogenesis and the clinical characteristics of the mucin-producing pancreatic cancer are discussed.