Nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma--a twenty-one years survival case after distal pancreatectomy

Kurume Med J. 1998;45(4):351-3. doi: 10.2739/kurumemedj.45.351.

Abstract

A case of nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma was reported. A 40-year-old woman was admitted with epigastralgia. Abdominal angiography and other diagnostic modalities suggested pancreatic malignancy. After distal pancreatectomy, histopathological study revealed her pancreatic tumor to be a nonfunctioning islet cell carcinoma. Fourteen years later, postoperative computed tomographic examination (CT) detected the recurrence of para-aortic lymph node metastases. Five years later, distal gastrectomy was performed to control bleeding from a gastric ulcer. Twenty-one years after the original operation, she died because of underlying metastatic carcinoma. In this case, slow growth and a low grade malignancy were characteristic. Operative removal of the tumor would be the treatment of choice even if metastatic lesions existed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Islet Cell / pathology*
  • Adenoma, Islet Cell / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatectomy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Time Factors