A case of spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas which developed acute pancreatitis

We herein report a case of rapidly advanced spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas which developed acute pancreatitis. A 51-year old man was admitted with chief complaints of back pain. Laboratory data on initial visit showed high levels of serum amylase and trypsin. Enhanced CT scan showed a low density mass which was 15mm in diameter in the pancreatic head and enlargement of the pancreatic body and tail. An abnormal accumulation of 18FDG in the pancreatic head was identified by PET-CT. Laboratory data on admission showed high levels of tumor markers (CA19-9, DUPAN-2, Span-1). We diagnosed as pancreatic head cancer which developed acute pancreatitis. Thus, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas. Although we performed postoperative chemotherapy, local recurrence and liver metastases occurred one month and three months after surgery, respectively.