Pleomorphic carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells expressing an epithelial-associated antigen detected by monoclonal antibody 44-3A6.

This article describes a case of pleomorphic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, metastatic to the adrenal glands and liver, that has unique cytological and histological features. Cytology demonstrated numerous mononuclear and multinucleated tumor giant cells as well as numerous osteoclast-like giant cells. These features were also seen in the histological sections, as were numerous clear cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated features suggesting an epithelial origin of the epulis cells. Prominent immunoreactivity with the monoclonal antibody (MCA) 44-3A6 of these cellular constituents was seen in the aspirate and in the tissue sections. These data provide further evidence to support the epithelial origin of these cellular components.