Giant cell tumor of the pancreas of mixed osteoclastic and pleomorphic cell type: Evidence for a histogenetic relationship and mesenchymal differentiation

Kent B. Lewandrowski, Lynn Weston, G. Richard Dickersin, David W. Rattner, Carolyn C. Compton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe a giant cell tumor of the pancreas composed of a mixture of osteoclastic and pleomorphic cell types. This rare tumor had a unique immunohistochemical profile. Both types of tumor giant cells stained for vimentin, α-1-antitrypsin, α-1-antichymotrypsin, synaptophysin, muscle actin, and neuron-specific enolase, but not for epithelial markers. Electron microscopy showed cells which resembled primitive fibroblasts and osteoclasts with no epithelial features. These findings are most consistent with mesenchymal differentiation. The extensive homologies in immunohistochemical staining of both osteoclastic and pleomorphic giant cells in this case indicates that these cells are histogenetically related.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1184-1187
Number of pages4
JournalHuman Pathology
Volume21
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • giant cell tumor
  • osteoclastic type
  • pancreas
  • pleomorphic type
  • sarcoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Giant cell tumor of the pancreas of mixed osteoclastic and pleomorphic cell type: Evidence for a histogenetic relationship and mesenchymal differentiation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this