Adenocarcinoma arising from ectopic gastric pancreas: two case reports with a review of the literature.

Adenocarcinoma is a common histological diagnosis of gastric neoplasias. Only if typical elements of pancreatic structures are found nearby or in the tumor, this particular origin can be proven. The development of a carcinoma within ectopic (or heterotopic) pancreas is extremely rare. Because of the accidental observation of two of such cases this topic is discussed in the present report. There are only sporadic cases available in literature and these mostly refer to pancreatic ectopy localized in the stomach or duodenum. Due to their origin and spread, the tumors form an intramural mass with relatively late mucosal invasion. Therefore malignancy is difficult to prove by endoscopic biopsy. In general the patients' prognosis is poor, survival varying between months and many years.