Solid-pseudopapillary carcinoma of the pancreas.

A case of solid-pseudopapillary carcinoma (SPC) of the pancreas in a 34-year-old Japanese woman is presented. An abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mass, which measured 10 cm in diameter, in the body and tail of the pancreas. The tumor was resected and it was originally diagnosed as a non-functioning islet cell tumor. One year and five months later, the patient was re-admitted to hospital, and liver metastasis was confirmed by ultrasonography. The patient died 6 days after the second transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) required for the metastasis. The autopsy showed small foci of liver metastasis. A retrospective examination of the tumor suggested the diagnosis of SPC because of its characteristic solid and pseudopapillary structures, immunohistochemical findings, and liver metastasis. This case suggests that capsular invasion, specifically found at the surgical margin of the peritoneal side, may be an important pathological finding that is suggestive of malignant potential in solid-pseudopapillary tumor. If there is such a finding in a surgical specimen, an intensive follow up should be advised to the clinician.