Pathology and Molecular Characteristics of Pancreatic Cancer

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2021 Oct;30(4):609-619. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2021.06.003. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. However, it should be kept in mind that there are other pancreatic cancers that are classified by their cellular lineage: acinar cell carcinomas (acinar differentiation), neuroendocrine neoplasms (arising from the islets), solid-pseudopapillary neoplasms (showing no discernible cell lineage), and pancreatoblastomas (characterized by multiphenotypic differentiation, including acinar endocrine and ductal). This article focuses on the molecular and pathology alterations in PDAC.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Acinar Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics