Mixed osteoclastic/pleomorphic-type giant cell tumor of the pancreas with ductal adenocarcinoma: histochemical and immunohistochemical study with review of the literature

Pancreas. 1997 Aug;15(2):201-8. doi: 10.1097/00006676-199708000-00013.

Abstract

We described a rare form of giant cell tumor of the pancreas composed of mixed osteoclastic/pleomorphic-type giant cell tumor with ductal adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical study showed positive staining of cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen for pleomorphic-type giant cells and ductal adenocarcinoma but negative for osteoclastic-type giant cells. Vimentin stained positive in both types of giant cells but negative in adenocarcinoma. Osteoclastic-type giant cells were strongly positive for CD68 and tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase was present in these cells, suggesting the osteoclast-like character. CD68 was negative for both pleomorphic-type giant cells and ductal adenocarcinoma. From these findings, we consider that this tumor might be a carcinosarcoma-like neoplasm consisting of both an epithelial and a histiocytic-mesenchymal component.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Giant Cell Tumors / diagnosis
  • Giant Cell Tumors / pathology*
  • Giant Cell Tumors / surgery
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Osteoclasts / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography