Pancreatoblastoma: a rare tumour accidentally found

Naik VR, Jaafar H, Leow VM, Bhavaraju VMK
Correspondence: Dr Venkatesh R Naik, venkatesh@kb.usm.my

ABSTRACT
A 15-year-old girl, who was previously well, complained of a mass in the abdomen after a minor motor vehicle accident. Physical and radiological investigations revealed a mass in the body of pancreas containing proteinaceous material and multiple nodules in both lobes of liver. Serological investigations for malignancy were normal. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed pancreatoblastoma. Pancreatoblastoma is an unusual malignant tumour seen in infants and children although rare cases have also been reported in adults. They are clinicopathologically distinct from adult pancreatic ductal carcinoma. The histogenesis, clinical features and treatment options are discussed along with presentation of the case.

Keywords: alpha-foetoprotein, pancreas, pancreatic tumour, pancreatoblastoma
Singapore Med J 2006; 47(3): 232-234