Cytological differentiation of asymptomatic pancreatic islet cell tumours in autopsy material

In eleven cases thirteen pancreatic islet cell adenomas were found in autopsy material from 1366 adult cases. Ten of the adenomas were solitary, while 3 small adenomas were observed in a single case. Another four possible solitary adenomas were observed, but their identity was uncertain owing to marked fibrosis. All the adenomas contained A-2 (A)-1 cells but no B (B)-1 cells. Nine of them also contained A-1 (D)-1 cells. The majority of cells in the adenomas were A-2 cells or cells which did not stain with any of the techniques used. The 4 possible adenomas contained islet cells (A-1, A-2, B) in different proportions. With one exception the patients with adenomas and possible adenomas were 65 years of age or older, and in some of these cases adenomas or hyperplasias were also found in other endocrine organs. The frequency of gastroduodenal ulcers or scars in the cases with adenoma or possible adenoma did not differ notably from that found in the cases without pancreatic adenomas. Among the cases with pancreatic adenoma and possible adenoma there were 3 patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus, but otherwise no clinical symptoms of endocrine disturbances were noted.