DOI: 10.12890/2025_005662
Rapid metastatic growth of a pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma within 6 weeks of a negative CT
Authors
thabib1@northwell.edu
Keywords
Pancreatic cancer, signet ring cell-like, metastatic diseaseAbstract
Pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma (PSRCC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of pancreatic cancer with a dismal prognosis. We present the case of a 50-year-old male who, within six weeks, developed a pancreatic mass with liver metastases. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed PSRCC. The presentation of this tumour with distant metastasis after a negative computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis six weeks prior underscores the highly aggressive nature of PSRCC and the crucial need for heightened clinical suspicion, especially in cases with persistent or atypical abdominal pain. This case highlights the limitations of current diagnostic modalities and emphasises the urgent need for further research into improved early detection methods, molecular characterisation and effective treatment strategies for this rare and lethal subtype of pancreatic cancer.
References
- Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2018. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:7-30. doi: 10.3322/caac.21442
- Rahib L, Smith BD, Aizenberg R, Rosenzweig AB, Fleshman JM, Matrisian LM. Projecting cancer incidence and deaths to 2030: the unexpected burden of thyroid, liver, and pancreas cancers in the United States. Cancer Res 2014;74:2913–2921. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-0155. Erratum in: Cancer Res 2014;74:4006.
- Luo G, Fan Z, Gong Y, Jin K, Yang C, Cheng H, et al. Characteristics and outcomes of pancreatic cancer by histological subtypes. Pancreas 2019;48:817–823. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001338
- Zhou H, Li XX, Huang YP, Wang YX, Zou H, Xiong L, et al. Prognosis prediction and comparison between pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma and pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma: a retrospective observational study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;14:1205594. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1205594
- Nie D, Yang J, Zheng H, Lai G, Wang F, Cao J, et al. Survival analysis and individualized prediction of survival benefit for pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma: a population study based on the SEER database. BMC Gastroenterol 2023;23:62. doi: 10.1186/s12876-023-02650-5
- Patel M, Hans HS, Pan K, Khan H, Donath E, Caldera H. The impact of epidemiological factors and treatment interventions on survival in patients with signet ring cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Am J Clin Oncol 2018;41:1176–1184. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000447
- Nie D, Lan Q, Huang Y, Fang C, Cao Y, Chen Y. Epidemiology and prognostic analysis of patients with pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma: a population-based study. BMC Gastroenterol 2022;22:458. doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02543-z
- Ansari D, Friess H, Bauden M, Samnegård J, Andersson R. Pancreatic cancer: disease dynamics, tumor biology and the role of the microenvironment. Oncotarget 2018;9:6644–6651. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.24019
- Zhang L, Sanagapalli S, Stoita A. Challenges in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2018;24:2047–2060. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i19.2047
- LeBlanc M, Kang J, Costa AF. Can we rely on contrast-enhanced CT to identify pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma? A population-based study in sensitivity and factors associated with false negatives. Eur Radiol 2023;33:7656–7664. doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-09758-y
- ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Eloubeidi MA, Decker GA, Chandrasekhara V, Chathadi KV, Early DS, et al. The role of endoscopy in the evaluation and management of patients with solid pancreatic neoplasia. Gastrointest Endosc 2016;83:17-28. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2015.09.009
