Two cases of anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas in terms of the diversity of carcinoma cells (epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EMT)

Abstract

The first evaluated case was a 71-year-old man with melaena. A huge tumor mass was observed in the tale of the pancreas, which we diagnosed as pancreatic carcinoma. Pathological findings confirmed that it was anaplastic pancreas carcinoma (giant cell type). The second case was a 61-year-old woman with upper abdominal pain. Irregular tumors with scattered cysts were observed in the tale of the pancreas, which rapidly increased. Autopsy findings confirmed that it was anaplastic pancreas carcinoma (pleomorphic type). Both cases showed positive for epithelial marker and mesenchymal markers and decrease in stainability by E-cadherin staining, a result which suggested diversity of tumor cells in anaplastic pancreas carcinomas.