A case of indeterminate mucin-producing cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

A 68-year-old woman with dysphasia and found to have a multilocular cystic mass in the pancreatic body and tail was found in abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography to have an 8cm diameter mass in the pancreatic tail. ERCP showed the main pancreatic duct to be obstructed at the tail and no continuity to be found between the tumor and the pancreatic duct. Distal pancreatectomy, proximal gastrectomy, and splenectomy were done. The mucous-containing cystic tumor found in the pancreas body and tail consisted histopathologically of atypical columnar cells and a fibrous capsule, and had invaded the stomach. No ovarian-type stroma were detected by HE staining or immunohistological examination using estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor antibodies. Adenomatous papillary growth was found in the main tumor and branch pancreatic ducts in the pancreatic margin. Due to the absence of communication between the tumor and the pancreatic duct, we diagnosed this case as an indeterminate mucin-producing cystic neoplasm.