CASE REPORT

JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2008; 9(4):493-498.

Splenic Infarction. A Rare Presentation of Anaplastic Pancreatic Carcinoma and a Review of the Literature

Manzhi Wong1, Ju-Yaw See1, Wajiha Sufyan2, Ravishankar K Diddapur1

Departments of 1Surgery and 2Pathology, National University Hospital. Singapore, Singapore

ABSTRACT

Context Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare variant of ductal adenocarcinoma. The histogenesis and biologic behavior of these tumors are still controversial. They occur in elderly men and are associated with a very poor prognosis.

Case report We report a case of advanced anaplastic carcinoma in a 41-year-old man who presented with splenic infarction. He had a prolonged survival of 16 months from diagnosis.

Conclusion Splenic infarction is a most unusual acute presentation of pancreatic carcinoma, which may require emergency tumor resection and splenectomy.

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Keywords Anaplasia; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Splenic Infarction

Correspondence Ravishankar K Diddapur: ravi_diddapur@hotmail.com

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