Association of islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas with subcutaneous fat necrosis

• Published in: The American journal of dermatopathology Vol. 1; no. 3; p. 273
• Main Authors: Millns, J L, Evans, H L, Winkelmann, R K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1979
• Subjects: Acid Phosphatase - metabolism; Adenoma, Islet Cell - enzymology; Adenoma, Islet Cell - pathology; Alkaline Phosphatase - metabolism; Fat Necrosis; Humans; Leucyl Aminopeptidase - metabolism; Lipase - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms - enzymology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Skin - pathology; Succinate Dehydrogenase - metabolism
• ISSN: 0193-1091
• DOI: 10.1097/00000372-197900130-00015

A 57-year-old man with generalized, subcutaneous fat necrosis was found at autopsy to have islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. The histologic diagnosis of islet cell carcinoma was confirmed by the finding by electron microscopy of characteristic intracytoplasmic granules within pancreatic neoplastic cells. Lipase levels were elevated in serum as well as in tissues in areas of subcutaneous fat necrosis. Enzyme histochemical stains for alkaline and acid phosphatase, leucine, aminopeptidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and indoxyl and nonspecific esterase were positive in the areas of subcutaneous fat necrosis. This is the first report of the association of islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas with generalized subcutaneous fat necrosis.