A case of resected anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas (pleomorphic type) with good post-operative course

A 61-year-old man admitted for lower back pain and a malignant pancreatic tumor was suspected and later confirmed after several studies. The tumor was hypervascularized with central necrosis and was rapidly increasing in size. No metastases were found. A distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed, and simultaneously, total gastrectomy and left adrenalectomy were added due to direct invasion. The specimen was a solid tumor with fibrous capsule, and the diameter was approximately 10cm. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as pleomorphic anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas. After the surgery we have observed this case for 6 years so far without adjuvant chemotherapy, and no recurrence or metastasis has been revealed. Anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare histologic type among pancreatic malignant neoplasms and is associated with poor prognosis. But our experience suggests that there is a possibility to achieve long term survival in cases in which a curative resection is performed.