Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: Epidemiology and outcomes. Int J Surg. 2016;35:76-82. [PMID: 27638187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2016.09.017]

Rare tumours of the pancreas: monocentric study

PURPOSE

The biology of rare pancreatic tumours, which differs from that of ductal pancreatic cancer, requires increased attention. Although the majority of rare pancreatic tumours are benign, it is difficult to decide whether an invasive component exists without complete removal of the lesion, despite considerable progress in diagnosis. We are investigating a large cohort of patients with histologically confirmed epithelial non-ductal non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas.

METHODS

Here we analyze long-term survival from patients, who underwent resection of histologically confirmed epithelial non-ductal non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas. At our department between Jan 1st, 1999, and Dec 31st, 2019. The median follow-up was 61 (range 0-168) month. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) software.

RESULTS

46 patients (48%) were followed up for more than 5 years, 18 patients (19%) for more than 10 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates for rare non-invasive pancreatic tumours were 72% and 55% respectively. The proportion of rare tumour entities (non-ductal and non-neuroendocrine) increased continuously and statistically significantly (p = 0.004) from 4.2 to 12.3% in our clinic between 1999 and 2019. If there is no invasive growth yet, there is a varying risk of malignant degeneration in the course of the disease. Therefore, the indication for pancreatic resection is still the subject of discussion.

CONCLUSION

The long-term prognosis of rare epithelial pancreatic tumours after R0 resection-even if they are already malignant-is much better than that of ductal pancreatic cancer.

It is not necessary to resect all mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: current guidelines do not reflect the actual risk of malignancy

BACKGROUND

Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms (MCN) of the pancreas are premalignant cysts for which current guidelines support pancreatic resection. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to define the pooled rate of malignancy for MCN.

METHODS

A systematic review of eligible studies published between 2000 and 2021 was performed on PubMed and Embase. Primary outcome was rate of malignancy. Data regarding high-risk features, including cyst size and mural nodules, were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies and 3292 patients with resected MCN were included in the final analysis. The pooled rate of malignancy was 16.1% (95%CI 13.1-19.0). The rate of malignant MCN in studies published before 2012 was significantly higher than that of studies published after recent guidelines were published (21.0% vs 14.9%, p < 0.001). Malignant MCN were larger than benign (mean difference 25.9 mm 95%CI 14.50-37.43, p < 0.001) with a direct correlation between size and presence of malignant MCN (R2 = 0.28, p = 0.020). A SROC identified a threshold of 65 mm to be associated with the diagnosis of malignant MCN. Presence of mural nodules was associated with the diagnosis of a malignant MCN (OR = 4.34, 95%CI 3.00-6.29, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Whereas guidelines recommend resection of all MCN, the rate of malignancy in resected MCN is 16%, implying that surveillance has a role in most cases, and that surgical selection criteria are warranted. Size and presence of mural nodules are significantly associated with an increased risk of malignant degeneration, small MCN and without mural nodules can be considered for surveillance.

Malignancy risk factors and prognostic variables of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) represent one of the precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and their detection has been facilitated by advances in preoperative imaging. Due primarily to the rarity of MCNs, however, there is limited knowledge regarding the prognostic variables and high-risk factors for malignant transformation. A more comprehensive and nuanced approach is necessary to fill this gap and provide a basis for improved treatment decisions and patient outcomes.

AIM

To investigate the high-risk factors associated with malignant MCNs and to explore the prognostic factors of MCN with associated invasive carcinoma (MCN-AIC).

METHODS

All cases of resected MCNs from a single high-volume institution between January 2012 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Only cases with ovarian-type stroma verified by progesterone receptor staining were included. Preoperative features, histological findings and postoperative course were documented. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to investigate variables related to malignancy. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier curve, and the prognostic factors were assessed to evaluate the postoperative course of patients with MCN-AIC.

RESULTS

Among the 48 patients, 36 had benign MCNs, and 12 had malignant MCNs (1 high-grade atypical hyperplasia and 11 MCN-AIC). Age, tumour size, presence of solid components or mural nodules and pancreatic duct dilatation were identified as independent risk factors associated with malignancy. The follow-up period ranged from 12 mo to 120 mo, with a median overall survival of 58.2 mo. Only three patients with MCN-AIC died, and the 5-year survival rate was 70.1%. All 11 cases of MCN-AIC were stage I, and extracapsular invasion was identified as a prognostic factor for poorer outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors independently associated with malignant transformation of MCNs included age, tumour size, presence of solid components or mural nodules, and pancreatic duct dilatation. Our study also revealed that encapsulated invasion was a favourable prognostic factor in MCN-AIC patients.

Cancer-specific survival and metastasis in pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: A SEER-based cohort study

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of clinical features for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and metastasis in patients with pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCAC). We further constructed and validated an effective nomogram to predict CSS.

Methods

We screened patients diagnosed with pancreatic MCAC from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine the CSS time. Univariate and multivariate Cox and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the prognostic factors for CSS and metastasis. The nomogram was constructed to predict the prognosis of pancreatic MCAC based on the results from the multivariate analysis. We used the concordance index (C-index), the area under the curve (AUC), and the calibration plots to determine the predictive accuracy and discriminability of the nomogram.

Results

Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that age, primary site, grade, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors associated with CSS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that surgery and grade were independent risk factors associated with metastasis. The independent risk factors were included to construct a prognosis prediction model for predicting CSS in patients with pancreatic MCAC. The concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and calibration plots of the training cohort and the validation cohort showed that the nomogram had an acceptable predictive performance.

Conclusion

We established a nomogram that could determine the 3- and 5-year CSS, which could evaluate individual clinical outcomes and provide individualized clinical decisions.

A case of pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with malignant ascites without recurrence for more than 8 years after surgery

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCAC) with malignant ascites is rare. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with epigastric pain. The ascites in the Douglas fossa was identified at a nearby gynecology clinic. Computed tomography showed a multiloculated cystic lesion (9.5 × 6.4 cm) in the tail of the pancreas, which was diagnosed as mucinous cystic neoplasm on imaging. Staging laparoscopy was performed, and rapid cytology of ascites revealed adenocarcinoma, leading to a diagnosis of unresectable MCAC. Subsequently, combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1 was initiated. Although there were no remarkable changes in the imaging findings, the peritoneal dissemination node was not consistently recognized in any of the imaging findings, and distal pancreatectomy was performed. A peritoneal dissemination node was not observed in the laparotomy findings, but the peritoneal lavage cytology was positive. The postoperative pathological result was non-invasive MCAC, and the ascites was suspected to be caused by cyst rupture. The patient has been recurrence-free, including the reappearance of ascites, for > 8 years after adjuvant therapy with S-1. Although careful follow-up will be required in the future, the very good prognosis in this case suggests that MCAC with malignant ascites without obvious peritoneal dissemination should be considered for surgical resection.

Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms located in the distal pancreas: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Mucinous cysts of the pancreas (MCN) are infrequent, usually unilocular tumors which occur in postmenopausal women and are located in the pancreatic body/tail. The risk of malignancy is low. The objective is to define preoperative risk factors of malignancy in pancreatic MCN and to assess the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter observational study of prospectively recorded data regarding distal pancreatectomies was carried out at seven hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Units between 01/01/08 and 31/12/18 (the ERPANDIS Project).

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-four distal pancreatectomies were recorded including 47 MCN (10.6%). Thirty-five were non-invasive tumors (74.5%). In all, 93% of patients were female, and 60% were ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiology) II. The mean preoperative size was 46 mm. Patients with invasive tumors were older (54 vs. 63 years). Invasive tumors were larger (6 vs. 4 cm), although the difference was not significant (P=0.287). Sixty percent was operated via laparoscopic approach, which was used in 74.6% of non-invasive tumors and in 16.7% of the invasive ones. The spleen was not preserved in 93.6% of the patients. R0 resection was obtained in all patients. Two patients with invasive tumors died.

CONCLUSIONS

In our surgical series of MCN, patients with malignancy were older and presented larger tumors, although the difference was not statistically significant. Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible approach for MCN. Prospective studies are now needed to define risk factors that can guide the decision whether to administer conservative treatment or to operate.

Benign Pancreatic Neurofibroma with Malignant Imaging Features: A Case Report and Literature Review

Pancreatic neurofibroma is a very rare benign neurogenic tumor unrelated to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). As the volume increases, it has the risk of malignant transformation. The surgical prognosis of pancreatic neurofibroma is good, but its preoperative imaging features are very similar to those of malignant tumors, which may affect the formulation of treatment plans. This article reports a case of giant neurofibroma of the pancreas with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as one of the diagnostic methods and discusses the tumor’s preoperative clinical features, laboratory examinations, and imaging features.

Dramatic Response to Carboplatin Plus Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma with Liver Metastasis

Mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of the pancreas is a rare cystic tumor occurring in the pancreatic body and tail in young to middle-aged women that is pathologically characterized by an ovarian-like stroma. Chemotherapy for recurrent/advanced pancreatic MCN has been based on chemotherapy regimens for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but the prognosis is poor. We herein report a 37-year-old woman with pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with liver metastasis that responded dramatically to carboplatin plus paclitaxel therapy (CBDCA+PTX). CBDCA+PTX may be a treatment option for recurrent/advanced pancreatic MCN with an ovarian-like stroma.

Multiple-line Chemotherapy for a Patient with Unresectable Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm of the Pancreas

A 74-year-old woman with a cyst in her pancreatic tail was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography confirmed a large cystic lesion with irregular wall thickening, abdominal lymph node swelling, and ascites. We diagnosed her with an unresectable mucinous cystic neoplasm, since ascites cytology revealed adenocarcinoma. The patient received chemotherapy up to the fifth line for 55.2 months. Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel and modified FOLFIRINOX achieved a partial response with a progression-free survival time of 12.1 and 20.4 months, respectively. The overall survival time from the beginning of first-line chemotherapy was 69.4 months.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas mimicking gastrointestinal stromal tumor of stomach: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic mucinous cysadenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm of pancreas which rarely presents as upper gastrointestinal bleed.

CASE REPORT

A 45-year-old woman presented with history of repeated episodes of melena and abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a growth in the body of the stomach likely to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Endoscopic biopsy was inconclusive for GIST or malignancy. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a well-defined multiloculated cystic lesion (11.8 × 11.1 × 6.4 cm) in the body and tail of the pancreas with involvement of the stomach. Preoperative diagnosis was a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas with tumor ingrowth into the stomach. The patient underwent enbloc resection of the stomach with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed low grade mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

DISCUSSION

Upper gastrointestinal bleed as a manifestation of cystic neoplasms of pancreas are rarely reported. Although some cases of hemoperitoneum were reported due to rupture of tumor; luminal gastrointestinal bleed is even rarer. It may be due to involvement of porto-mesenteric axis with portal hypertension, direct invasion of the gastric wall with ulceration of the gastric mucosa, communication between the tumor and the main pancreatic duct, and from the infiltrating tumor.

CONCLUSION

Our case highlights the fact that mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas rarely can present with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Moreover, if it is large enough to compress or invade the stomach, endoscopy may misdiagnose it as GIST.

miR‑224‑5p regulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma by targeting PTEN

Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant tumor, with a limited number of studies. The present study aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of microRNA (miR)-224-5p on proliferation, migration and invasion of MCC of the pancreas. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to explorethe expression of miR-224-5p and the PTEN gene. MTT, wound healing, Transwell and tumorigenesis assays were conducted to investigate the proliferation, migration and invasion of MCC1 cells in vitro and in vivo. Western blot analysis was employed to test the protein expression of PTEN. The target gene of miR-224-5p was assessed and verified by luciferase assay. miR-224-5p expression was notably higher, while PTEN expression was lower, in MCC1 cells compared with normal tissues and cells. Overexpression of miR-224-5p promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of MCC and knockdown of miR-224-5p inhibited these functions. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay indicated that PTEN was the direct target gene of miR-224-5p. The negative correlation between miR-224-5p and PTEN was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. PTEN reversed the effects of miR-224-5p on proliferation, migration and invasion of MCC1 cells. The present study revealed for the first time, to the best of the authors' knowledge, that miR-224-5p was highly expressed and served an oncogenic role in MCC. miR-224-5p not only regulated the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic MCC but may also be a potential therapeutic target for MCC.

Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in a patient harbouring BRCA1 germline mutation effectively treated with olaparib: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCAC) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis when it presents metastases at diagnosis. Due to its very low incidence, there are no clear recommendations for the treatment of advanced disease. Olaparib (an oral PARP inhibitor) has been approved for the maintenance treatment of patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma harbouring germline BRCA1/2 mutations. Herein, we report the first case of a germline BRCA1 mutated unresectable MCAC which was effectively treated with olaparib.

CASE SUMMARY

A 41-year-old woman, without personal or family history of cancer, was diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneal metastases of MCAC. She underwent 12 cycles of gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX) obtaining a partial response and allowing radical surgery. One year later, local recurrence was documented, and other 12 cycles of GEMOX were administered obtaining a complete response. Seven years later, another local recurrence, not amenable to surgical resection, was diagnosed. She started FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin and fluorouracil), obtaining a partial response after 8 cycles. Given the excellent response to platinum-based chemotherapy, BRCA testing was performed, and a BRCA1 germline mutation was detected. She was switched to maintenance olaparib due to chemotherapy-related toxicities and achieved an almost complete metabolic response, with a reduction in the diameter of the lesion, after three months of therapy.

CONCLUSION

The current case suggests the beneficial effect of olaparib in BRCA mutated MCAC. However, further studies are required.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Pancreatic Cancer by Histological Subtypes

OBJECTIVES

Except pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer has several uncommon histological subtypes, including invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET), adenosquamous carcinoma, invasive mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and invasive solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT). However, features of theses uncommon subtypes are not systematically analyzed.

METHODS

Subjects with different histological subtypes of pancreatic cancers were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Characteristics and behaviors of uncommon subtypes were compared.

RESULTS

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (85.8%) represented most primary pancreatic cancers, and other subtypes were rare (14.2%). Features of uncommon subtypes included females with SPT and MCN, located at the pancreatic body/tail of pNET, SPT, and MCN; poor differentiation of adenosquamous carcinoma and SCC; and large size of MCN, SPT, ACC, and SCC. In addition, IPMN, pNET, MCN, ACC, and SPT were indolent. For indolent subtypes, patients with locoregional tumor had prominent prognosis compared with patients with distant disease, especially for invasive IPMN (median survival, localized, 30.0 months; regional, 11.0 months; distant, 4.0 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The study systematically summarizes characteristics and behaviors of primary pancreatic cancer by histological subtypes, which can facilitate the management of pancreatic cancer.

The rare entity of cystadenocarcinoma (CAC) in parotid gland: A single-center experience

PURPOSE

Cystadenocarcinoma (CAC) is an extremely rare disease in parotid gland. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of CAC, and the therapeutic options for its treatment. An attempt was also made to identify postoperative recurrence-related risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of CAC patients treated between 2008 and 2018. Predictive factors for postoperative recurrence (5-year RFS rate) were preliminarily filtered by Kaplan-Meier analysis and then further confirmed by a Cox regression model. Postoperative recurrence was defined as the primary outcome variable and was measured using both univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients were analyzed, and the total incidence of postoperative recurrence was 33.3% (9/27). In the Cox regression analysis, patients who received a superficial parotidectomy were 0.046 times more likely to develop tumor relapse than those who only underwent enucleation (p = 0.032; 95% CI: 0.003-0.070). The chances of tumor recurrence in patients with the cribriform subtype were 9.701 times that for cases with a papillary pattern (p = 0.016; 95% CI: 1.517-62.030). The risk of postoperative recurrence increased abruptly, with an OR of 6.373 (p = 0.042; 95% CI: 1.070-37.965), when LN metastasis was found in patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative diagnosis of CAC in parotid gland is extremely important for allowing surgeons to apply appropriate therapeutic strategies (enucleation or superficial parotidectomy). Patients with LN metastasis, cribriform pattern, and Ki-67 positivity should be treated further to avoid tumor relapse.

Systemic Chemotherapy for Advanced Rare Pancreatic Histotype Tumors: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Two issues were put forth by clinicians in the management of the advanced stages of rare variants of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and other exocrine histotypes with peculiar clinical and pathological features: Do chemotherapy regimens recommended in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients have a clinical activity in rare pancreatic tumors? Or should other chemotherapy combinations be considered in this subset of patients?

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study that collected data from 2005 to 2016 at 14 Italian cancer centers with the aim to evaluate tumor response and time to progression for first- and second-line and overall survival.

RESULTS

Of approximately 4300 exocrine pancreatic cancer patients, 79 advanced cases affected by rare histological types were identified, with pancreatic acinar cell cancer (n = 23), pancreatic adenosquamous cancer (n = 16), and mucinous cystic neoplasm with an associated invasive mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (n = 15) most represented. Survival analyses for each subgroup in relation with the different chemotherapy regimens showed the lack of statistical significance correlations.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the lack of clinical trials in patients affected by these rare pancreatic histotypes, only their molecular classification would help clinicians in future therapeutic choice.

A population-based analysis of a rare oncologic entity: Malignant pancreatic tumors in children

PURPOSE

To examine the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of pediatric patients with malignant pancreatic tumors in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was utilized to identify all pediatric patients with malignant pancreatic tumors, diagnosed between 1973 and 2013. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine median and five-year overall survival (OS) rates. Univariate survival analysis was executed using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify variables independently associated with mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients with pancreatic malignancies were identified. Median patient age was 16years and the majority of patients were white (64%) females (61.4%). The most prevalent histologic subtype was neuroendocrine tumors (35.1%), whereas pancreatoblastoma was more common during the first decade of life (P<0.001). Distant metastases were noted in 41.7% of the patients, while 33.3% and 25% had localized and regional disease respectively. Five-year OS rates were 77%, 66.4% and 64.8% for patients with pancreatoblastoma, neuroendocrine and epithelial tumors respectively. No death was observed in the solid pseudopapillary tumor group. Only history of having cancer-directed surgery (CDS) was significantly associated with lower overall mortality (HR: 5.1, 95% CI: 2.1, 12.4).

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic malignancies are rare in children. Their prognosis is variable and only CDS was independently associated with superior survival.

EVIDENCE RATING/CLASSIFICATION

Prognosis study, Level II.

Situs inversus totalis with solid pseudopapillary pancreatic tumor: A case report and review of literature

RATIONALE

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare anatomical variation of the internal organs, and solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is a rare tissue type of pancreatic tumors, classified as benign or low-grade malignancy. However, to our knowledge, a patient with SIT and SPTP is extremely rare and has never been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We retrospectively analyzed a case of SIT with SPTP in a 45-year-old woman. The main complaints were abdominal pain and sensation of heaviness for 2 weeks. There was tenderness and a mass that could be palpated in the right upper abdomen.

DIAGNOSES

Heart ultrasonography (USG), chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT), and contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) revealed a mirror-image dextrocardia and inversion of all abdominal viscera and a space-occupying lesion in the pancreas tail. Abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed no obvious abnormality of artery. The diagnosis of SPTP was finally made by postoperative pathological examination.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent resection of the pancreatic body and tail and splenectomy via laparotomy to completely remove the tumor.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged with specific discomfort on postoperative day 7. At the 1.5-year follow-up, she recovered without issue.

LESSONS

Surgical resection remains the only effective treatment of SPTP. SIT with SPTP can be accurately diagnosed by heart USG, chest x-ray, CT, and CECT of the upper abdomen. Abdominal aorta CTA before surgery can decrease the injury risk of blood vessels.