(Journal Article): Combined Osteoclastic Giant Cell and Pleomorphic Giant Cell Tumor of the Pancreas: A Rarity. An Immunohistochemical Analysis and Review of the Literature
 
Loya A, Ratnakar KS, Shastry RA (Department of Pathology and Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences. Punjagutta, Hyderabad, India, anandloya@rediffmail.com )
 
IN: JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2004; 05(4):220-224

Fulltext:    HTML  PDF

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT: The combination of an osteoclastic giant cell tumor and a pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas is distinctly unusual and is associated with an adverse outcome. The origin of these two components within a tumor has long been debated based on the immunohistochemical and ultra-structural analysis. CASE REPORT: Herein we describe a tumor with amalgamation of these two distinct histomorphologies along with a minute focus of well-differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma (on multiple sections) in a 50-year male. On immunohistochemical analysis, osteoclastic giant cells were reactive for CD68 and vimentin confirming histiocytic/mesenchymal derivation whereas pleomorphic giant cells and mononuclear cells were reactive for cytokeratin which proved their epithelial nature. CONCLUSIONS: Although the present case had an equal proportion of both components, it is very important to correctly assess the predominant histology since osteoclastic giant cell tumor has a better prognosis as compared to the more aggressive pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma component.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Case Report