Syndecan-1 and tenascin expression in cystic tumors of the pancreas.

Context: Since benign and malignant mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas may be difficult to distinguish from each other; preoperative methods for differential diagnosis would reduce unnecessary surgery.

Objective: To compare syndecan-1 and tenascin immunoexpression in benign and malignant cystic pancreatic tumors.

Design: We used immunohistochemical staining for syndecan-1 and tenascin antibodies in tumor tissue samples.

Setting: Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Patients: Tissue material came from 33 patients undergoing surgery from 1979 to 2005 for cystic pancreatic tumors.

Results: A statistically significant difference appeared in syndecan-1 expression between benign (mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) and mucinous carcinomas, but there was no significant difference in tenascin immunoexpression between these tumor groups.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that low syndecan-1 expression might serve as a predictive factor for malignancy in cystic tumors of the pancreas.