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Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: A pathologic-radiologic correlation of a rare histologic subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022 Apr;57:151884

Date

01/26/2022

Pubmed ID

35074581

DOI

10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2021.151884

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85123068927 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGC) is an exceedingly rare subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Histologically, UC-OGC is characterized by three cell types namely, a neoplastic mononuclear cell component, non-neoplastic osteoclast-like giant cells, and a non-neoplastic mononuclear histiocytic component. The behavior of this tumor is unpredictable; but many patients survive many years after diagnosis. UC-OGC may have a better prognosis compared to conventional pancreatic adenocarcinoma due to its slower local spread, less aggressive nature, better response to surgical resection and/or chemotherapy, and fewer metastases. Due to likely differences in prognosis and significant impact on patient management, it is important to distinguish this subtype from other types of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We report a case of a small (<1 cm) undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the posterior pancreatic body discovered incidentally on magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan of a middle-aged man. The radiologic and pathologic findings are presented along with a discussion of the differential diagnosis of this exceedingly rare entity.

Author List

Jain PV, Griffin M, Hunt B, Ward E, Tsai S, Doucette S

Authors

Michael O. Griffin MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Bryan C. Hunt MD Associate Professor in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Pragya Virendrakumar Jain MD Assistant Professor in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adenocarcinoma
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
Giant Cells
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoclasts
Pancreatic Neoplasms