Abstract
A pancreatic tumor was detected in a 45-year-old man during a health-screening test with abdominal ultrasonography. He did not have any appreciable physical symptoms and was referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an enhancing solid mass measuring 46 mm in diameter in the pancreatic body. Laboratory findings, including tumor markers, were within normal limits, while endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy showed normal lymphocytes. We performed a distal pancreatosplenectomy for a potentially malignant neoplasm, such as a neuroendocrine tumor, malignant lymphoma, and other potential malignant tumors. Operative findings showed many tumor feeding arteries. The pathological findings indicated hyaline vascular type Castleman's disease. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day.
Castleman's disease is a lymphoproliferative disorder with a predilection for the mediastinum. Cases arising from the pancreas or surrounding retroperitoneal tissue are very rare, and are difficult to differentiate from other potentially malignant tumors. It is important to choose appropriate surgical procedures from the viewpoint of oncology.
