An unrecognized undifferentiated tumor of the pancreas: a case report

Abstract

SMARCA4-deficient tumors are gaining attention, and this type of tumor is highly malignant with a poor prognosis. The frequency of SMARCA4 deletion varies in different tumors. However, it has never been identified in the pancreas. A 67-year-old woman presented with upper abdominal pain lasting for half a month. Computed tomography indicated a space-occupying lesion in the head of the pancreas, considered a malignant tumor. Further Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration was performed and reported as SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated pancreatic tumor. The patient received no treatment and survived only two and a half months from diagnosis to death. We are the first to report SMARCA4-deficient pancreatic undifferentiated tumor in which this new tumor entity presents with poorer overall survival. We also summarized the advances of SMARCA4 in oncology and treatment.