First reported case of primary small cell cancer of the pancreas with positive TTF-1 tumor marker

Abstract

Small cell carcinomas are very aggressive malignancies that are most often linked with lung cancer, although they may also develop in the pancreas, colon, rectum, skin, and cervix. SCC of the pancreas accounts for about 1% of these neoplasms. An 88-year-old male with several comorbidities who presented with significant weight loss was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma after complaining of persistent epistaxis and back pain. This case underscores the significance of using atypical tumor markers, such as thyroid transcription factor 1, to diagnose small-cell pancreatic cancer. It also emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to managing these aggressive tumors.

Keywords

• Small cell carcinoma of pancreas
• Neuroendocrine differentiation
• Thyroid transcription factor-1
• Metastatic disease
• Tumor markers