Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells showing various degree of pancreas duct involvement. A case report and literature review.

Context: Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells is exceedingly rare. The prognosis of undifferentiated carcinoma is worse than that of poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; however, undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells might have a more favorable prognosis.

Case Report: We report the case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells, showing an intraductal growth pattern with various degree of pancreas duct involvement in the different areas.

The value of postmortem examination in cases of metastasis of unknown origin-20-year retrospective data from a tertiary care center.

Background: Metastasis of unknown origin (MUO) is a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice even with the state of current advanced diagnostic technology. To evaluate the value of autopsy in determining the primary site of MUO, this study reviewed the Hamilton experience-over the last 20 years-with patients autopsied with clinical diagnosis of MUO.

Methods: All autopsy diagnoses from cases performed at the Hamilton Health Sciences Center and St Joseph's Healthcare from 1980 to 2000 were reviewed.