Acinar cell pancreatic carcinoma: a rare case of pancreatic tumor and short review of literature

Abstract

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) is a rare subgenre of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, where the cells show acinar architecture. Specified causes of this neoplasia have not yet been deduced and it usually appears with nonspecific symptoms. Diagnosis is based on its characteristics in various imaging techniques, on its histological characteristics and the expression of specific immunohistochemical biomarkers. Surgical excision of the tumor is usually performed with high chances of recurrence, whereas the benefits of radiotherapy and chemotherapy are still ambiguous. In this paper, a 51-year-old female patient with a mass in the head of the pancreas was taken as a case study. She presented with icterus and imaging showed a defined mass in the head of the pancreas accompanied by dilation of the biliary tree. Biopsy and histological assessment done after the surgical excision showed components of PACC differentiation. The patient was regulated after surgery, especially regarding endocrinology and immunology.