Extra-Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Arising in the Pancreas: A Case Report and Litreature Review

Abstract

Context Extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs) of pancreatic origin are extremely rare entities, of which the prognoses as well as biological behavioral patterns are yet to be completely unraveled. To our knowledge, only fourteen cases being reported in English literature till date. We intend to present such a case of EGISTs, primarily located in the pancreas, which will most probably be the fifteenth of all the cases to be reported in English medical literature. Apart from presenting this one case we further wish to review and highlight the salient features, i.e. clinical manifestations, diagnostic parameters, prognoses etc. Case report A fifty-five year old female presented with the complaints of pain in the upper abdominal region, with gradual increment in the intensity. The reason for which were found to be a mass, located in the head of the pancreas, accompanied by chronic cholecystitis with multiple stones in gall bladder. Contemplating of a pancreatic malignancy, the patient underwent an abdominal laprotomy, during which a rapid intra-operative frozen biopsy sample was extracted. Further biopsy revealed a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the pancreatic head. Thus having arrived at a confirmatory diagnosis, malignant cystic neoplasm of the pancreas, local tumour resection followed by pancreaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis and cholecyetectomy were executed. Conclusion Despite a being rarity, differential diagnosis of solid and cystic pancreatic masses that could involve the pancreas as the primary site, without GISTs in view would be a highly imprudent one, particularly owing to the unusually eminent risk of malignancy. The current case consolidates the extragastrointestinal stromal tumour of primary pancreatic localization can involve, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid and cystic pancreatic masses.