Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Imaging features of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate imaging features of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas. Methods: The study group included eight patients with surgically resected undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT, n = 8) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, n = 6) findings were retrospectively reviewed. Results: On MDCT, all eight cases were hypovascular with upstream main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation, and only 1 showed exophytic growth. Five cases (62.5%) showed necrosis/cystic change, and calcification was observed in two cases (25%). Calcification reflected tumour osteoid components. On MRI, haemorrhage and hemosiderin were observed in 4 of 6 (66.7%) cases. In addition, tumour thrombus in the splenic vein (n = 1) and intraductal tumour growth in the MPD (n = 2) were pathologically identified, although imaging studies only revealed 1 of these latter cases. Conclusion: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas may present as a tumour with haemorrhagic necrosis. Coexistence of calcification, intraductal tumour growth in the MPD and tumour thrombus may support the imaging diagnosis of this entity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)580-588
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology
Volume63
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 1 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Imaging features of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this