A Case of Synchronous Triple Cancer Consisting of Pancreatic Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma, Gastric Cancer and Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

We report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas which is extremely rare. An 82-year-old woman who was pointed out positive faecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening was admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed descending colon cancer. On the inspection prior to operation, Stage II colon cancer and Stage IVa pancreatic tail cancer were detected, and resection of the pancreatic body and tail with splenectomy and partial descending colectomy were performed. Although endoscopic resection was planned for early gastric cancer, the patient did not consens any more treatments since the prognosis of pancreatic cancer was extremely poor. Eighteen months later, multiple liver metastases appeared and she died of liver failure. Postoperative histological diagnosis confirmed mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely rare and is classified into the subtype of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma. Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma is rare and accounts for about 2 % of all pancreatic cancers. The malignancy carries poor prognosis because it can metastasize in an early stage. The incidence of synchronous multiple cancer involving the pancreas and other organs is reported to be about 3 %, but synchronous multiple cancer of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pancreas and other organs like in this case has not been reported in the Japanese literature to our knowledge.