Poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells confirmed by EUS-FNA: a case report

Abstract

A 75-year-old woman was referred with a two-month history of appetite loss. Computed tomography scans revealed a 35mm tumor in the pancreatic tail and a 10mm round tumor in the right lung. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was unremarkable. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of the pancreatic tumor was performed. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a signet ring cell component. Due to the patient's inability to maintain her nutritional status, we decided that systemic chemotherapy was not indicated. Seven days after EUS-FNA, the patient was discharged and she died 113 days later.