Rare primary signet ring carcinoma of the pancreas

Signet ring carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare mucin-producing variant occurring in less than 1% of pancreatic carcinoma. The fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., pancreatic carcinoma is increasing in incidence and mortality. It is difficult to detect during the early stages of the disease and usually become apparent when extrahepatic biliary obstruction occurs. Early radiologic findings may be negative and there is no well defined tumor marker for this neoplasm.