Xanthogranulomatous inflammatory tumor (xanthogranulomatous pancreatitis) in the pancreatic head mimicking pancreatic cancer

Abstract

An 81-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain. A tumor in the pancreatic head was found and she was referred for further evaluation and treatment. Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan showed a hypovascular 1.5cm mass in the pancreatic head. We diagnosed resectable pancreatic cancer, cT3 cN0 cM0 cStage IIA (General rules for the study of pancreatic cancer, Japan Pancreas Society 7^th Edition). We did not perform PET-CT or fine needle aspiration preoperatively and performed a subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Histopathological examination failed to reveal malignancy, but revealed a xanthogranulomatous inflammatory tumor (xanthogranulomatous pancreatitis) of the pancreatic head. Xanthogranulomatous inflammatory tumor is extremely rare and difficult to differentiate from pancreatic cancer. Herein, we report a patient with xanthogranulomatous inflammatory tumor of the pancreatic head mimicking a pancreatic cancer, and summarize 27 previously reported cases.