Mesenchymal tumors involving the pancreas: A clinicopathologic analysis and review of the literature Journal Article


Authors: Askan, G.; Basturk, O.
Article Title: Mesenchymal tumors involving the pancreas: A clinicopathologic analysis and review of the literature
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Most pancreatic tumors are epithelial, and, among these, more than 90% are of ductal origin. However, a variety of mesenchymal tumors may involve the pancreas and may manifest different clinicopathological characteristics. The literature on mesenchymal tumors in the pancreas is largely limited to individual case reports or analyses of small series, predominantly focusing on radiologic features. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Authors' institutional and consultation databases were reviewed to identify the mesenchymal tumors involving the pancreas. RESULTS: Forty cases were identified; twenty-five (63%) tumors were benign/borderline, and the remaining fifteen (37%) were malignant. Of the benign/borderline tumors; 9 were solitary fibrous tumors, 6 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 4 schwannomas, 2 desmoid type fibromatosis, 1 lymphangioma, 1 ganglioneuroma, 1 inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and 1 low grade mesenchymal neoplasm. Malignant tumors included 6 cases of leiomyosarcomas, 4 liposarcomas, 2 rhabdomyosarcomas, 1 epithelioid angiosarcoma, 1 malignant peripheral nerve sheet tumor, and 1 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Four cases (multicystic schwannoma, desmoid fibromatosis, lymphangioma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor) were preoperatively misdiagnosed as a primary epithelial tumor of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Mesenchymal tumors rarely involve the pancreas. They are usually benign/borderline neoplasms but may be diagnostically challenging, especially clinically/radiologically, as they may form cystic and/or large lesions in the pancreas. Mesenchymal tumors should be considered in both the clinical/radiological and pathological differential diagnosis of pancreatic lesions.
Journal Title: Turk Patoloji Dergisi
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1018-5615
Publisher: Federation of Turkish Pathology Societies  
Date Published: 2022-01-01
Start Page: 46
End Page: 53
Language: English
DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2022.01567
PUBMED: 35001360
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9999697
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Olca Basturk
    352 Basturk
  2. Gokce Askan
    77 Askan