Navigating the diagnostic gray zone: a challenging case of pancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasm.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma
Neuroendocrine tumor
Pancreas
Journal
Diagnostic pathology
ISSN: 1746-1596
Titre abrégé: Diagn Pathol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101251558
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
12 Sep 2024
12 Sep 2024
Historique:
received:
08
07
2024
accepted:
01
09
2024
medline:
13
9
2024
pubmed:
13
9
2024
entrez:
12
9
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Grade 3 neuroendocrine tumor (G3 PanNET) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC) of the pancreas are considered distinct entities from a biological and prognostic perspective but may have overlapping features complicating a definitive diagnosis. A 52-year-old female presented with a pancreatic body mass and liver lesions. Initial biopsies showed variable lower- and higher-grade morphologies and modestly elevated Ki67 proliferation index up to 30%, leading to a diagnosis of G3 PanNET. The patient underwent everolimus treatment followed by surgical resection, revealing a complex tumor with features of both G3 PanNET and PanNEC, including admixed well- and poorly differentiated morphologies, modestly elevated hotspot Ki67 of 28%, retained ATRX/DAXX expression, and loss of RB expression. The final diagnosis rendered was "high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasm" with discussion of both entities in the differential. Post-operatively, the patient remains alive with stable metastases. This case highlights the diagnostic complexities of distinguishing G3 PanNET and PanNEC even with the support of ancillary immunohistochemical and molecular studies. In addition, such cases raise the possibility that G3 PanNET and PanNEC may lie on a spectrum of disease with potential biological overlap.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Grade 3 neuroendocrine tumor (G3 PanNET) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC) of the pancreas are considered distinct entities from a biological and prognostic perspective but may have overlapping features complicating a definitive diagnosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
METHODS
A 52-year-old female presented with a pancreatic body mass and liver lesions. Initial biopsies showed variable lower- and higher-grade morphologies and modestly elevated Ki67 proliferation index up to 30%, leading to a diagnosis of G3 PanNET. The patient underwent everolimus treatment followed by surgical resection, revealing a complex tumor with features of both G3 PanNET and PanNEC, including admixed well- and poorly differentiated morphologies, modestly elevated hotspot Ki67 of 28%, retained ATRX/DAXX expression, and loss of RB expression. The final diagnosis rendered was "high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasm" with discussion of both entities in the differential. Post-operatively, the patient remains alive with stable metastases.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the diagnostic complexities of distinguishing G3 PanNET and PanNEC even with the support of ancillary immunohistochemical and molecular studies. In addition, such cases raise the possibility that G3 PanNET and PanNEC may lie on a spectrum of disease with potential biological overlap.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39267076
doi: 10.1186/s13000-024-01546-6
pii: 10.1186/s13000-024-01546-6
doi:
Substances chimiques
Biomarkers, Tumor
0
Types de publication
Case Reports
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
123Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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