Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas: a rare entity

Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas, also known as mucinous noncystic carcinoma, is an uncommon subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, accounting for only 1-3% of exocrine pancreatic neoplasms. It is characterized histologically by abundant extracellular mucin pools containing floating neoplastic cells.

We report the case of a 64-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a 3.3 cm lesion in the pancreatic head, which was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Laboratory findings indicated cholestasis and mild elevation of pancreatic enzymes. The patient had a prior episode of mild acute pancreatitis one year earlier. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration yielded insufficient material for diagnosis. Surgical management with cephalic duodenopancreatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed a 3.2 cm colloid carcinoma with perineural invasion and metastasis in one lymph node (pT2 pN1). At three-month follow-up, the patient remains clinically stable without evidence of recurrence.

Colloid carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm with distinct histological features and relatively favorable prognosis despite frequent findings of perineural invasion and lymph node involvement. Accurate diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating imaging and histological analysis.