An Autopsy Case of Nonfunctioning Islet Cell Carcinoma
A case of a 64-year-old man with a nonfunctioning islet cell tumor is reported. A slight increase in the serum levels of elastase I and CA19-9 were noted, while serum insulin and glucagon remained within normal limits. Abdominal US and CT-scanning showed diffuse swelling of the pancreas. ERCP showed interruption of the pancreatic duct at the tail of the pancreas. The patient died on the thirty-fourth hospital day and an autopsy disclosed a 7×5 cm tumor at the pancreas tail. Pathological studies revealed an islet cell tumor. A structure like that of neuroendocrine granules was noted electron microscopically. Immunohistological stains were negative for α1-antitrypsin, pancreatic antigen, amylase, gastrin, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. In addition, a clinical analysis was made of 117 cases of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors reported in Japan.
