Synchronous epithelial and neuroendocrine cancers of the pancreas: Case series of a rare occurrence
Academic Article
Overview
MeSH Major
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Pancreatic Neoplasms
abstract
The presence of neuroendocrine cells in adenocarcinomas is not an unusual finding and is well described in gastrointestinal tract cancers, eg, colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. Genetic analysis of such tumors has suggested a common multipotent progenitor stem cell origin. The prognostic significance of neuroendocrine cells in adenocarcinoma cells is unclear. There is a scant literature on synchronous pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreas neuroendocrine tumors. We report 2 cases with a purpose of discussing management strategies, prognosis, and potential etiologies of this rare presentation.