Solid and cystic tumor of the pancreas: clinicopathologic and genetic studies of four cases.

Background: Solid and cystic tumor (SCT) of the pancreas can be distinguished from other pancreatic neoplasms by its nearly exclusive occurrence in young women, and its favorable prognosis after complete resection.

Methods: We experienced four cases with SCT of the pancreas, and analyzed these tumors by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies, as well as genetic analysis of ras oncogene mutation.

Results: The presented cases expressed the neuron-specific enolase in two cases, alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha1-antichymotrypsin in two cases, and vimentin in one case, which indicated that this tumor originates from pleuripotential embryonic stem cells. No patients had mutations of K-ras gene in codon 12, and further genetic analysis is required to predict the malignant potential.

Conclusion: SCT of the pancreas appears to have limited malignant potential and the metastatic ratio is not high, although the tumor has local invasion. Therefore, an aggressive surgical approach seems fully justified.