OBJECTIVES: To investigate the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of intraductal "nodular" tumor located in the main pancreatic duct. METHODS: Four cases were studied, and the results were compared with those in 10 cases of common ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. RESULTS: The intraductal nodular carcinoma were large, more than 3 cm in diameter (range, 3-7 cm), lacked macroscopic mucin production, and presented a papillotubular adenocarcinoma. These tumors showed minimal invasion into the periductal tissue, duodenum, and choledochus. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were negative for anti-CEA and faintly positive for anti-CA19-9, in all except one tumor, whereas the common ductal adenocarcinomas were clearly positive for both. The postoperative course was favorable, and all three living patients remained healthy for more than 4 yr. CONCLUSION: These tumors may be variants of intraductal tumors with a more favorable prognosis.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of intraductal "nodular" tumor located in the main pancreatic duct. METHODS: Four cases were studied, and the results were compared with those in 10 cases of common ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. RESULTS: The intraductal nodular carcinoma were large, more than 3 cm in diameter (range, 3-7 cm), lacked macroscopic mucin production, and presented a papillotubular adenocarcinoma. These tumors showed minimal invasion into the periductal tissue, duodenum, and choledochus. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were negative for anti-CEA and faintly positive for anti-CA19-9, in all except one tumor, whereas the common ductal adenocarcinomas were clearly positive for both. The postoperative course was favorable, and all three living patients remained healthy for more than 4 yr. CONCLUSION: These tumors may be variants of intraductal tumors with a more favorable prognosis.