Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor producing mucinous cystic neoplasm with an associated invasive carcinoma of the pancreas.

The present case study documents an autopsy case of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-producing mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), with an associated invasive carcinoma of the pancreas. A 65-year-old woman presented to Omuta City Hospital (Omuta Japan) with a primary complaint of abdominal pain. Multiple liver nodules and a pancreatic cyst were detected upon abdominal computed tomography. Initially, liver abscess was suspected as the patient exhibited leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein level. However, the serum concentration of G-CSF was 98.8 pg/ml (normal, <39.0 pg/ml). At 6 weeks after admission, the patient succumbed to liver failure. At autopsy, a cystic lesion was identified in the pancreatic tail that contained bloody necrotic fluid. Microscopically, the cystic lesion was composed of columnar and mucin-producing epithelium associated with ovarian-type subepithelial stroma. The stroma exhibited positive immunostaining for vimentin, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Calcification on the cystic wall was observed. The tumor invaded the pancreatic parenchyma and metastasized to the liver and lungs. The lesion was diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma arising in MCN. By contrast, liver nodules predominantly consisted of pleomorphic cancer cells with small foci of adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic and hepatic cancer cells were confirmed to be positive for G-CSF staining. The present case report indicates that G-CSF-producing MCNs may be associated with an aggressive clinical course, particularly when anaplastic changes are observed.