Category:Pancreas - Hyperplastic and Neoplastic Pathology

Pancreas - Nodular Hyperplasia

Neoplasia

• Originates from the exocrine tissue or excretory ducts
• Neoplasia of the Islet cells is rare but may cause hypoglycaemia due to overproduction of insulin

Adenoma

Image of multifocal pancreatic adenoma in a dog from Cornell Veterinary Medicine

• Very rare
• May be difficult to distinguish from nodular hyperplasia
• Single and larger nodules than normal pancreas

Carcinoma

Pancreatic carcinoma (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)

Image of haemorrhage and pancreatic carcinoma in a cat from Cornell Veterinary Medicine

• In older dogs, more common in Airedale terriers, rare in cats, other species too
• Tend to arise centrally in the gland
• Highly invasive and infiltrative
• Metastases to the liver, visceral serosa, abdominal lymph nodes, spleen, adrenals etc.
• Similar to malignant ovarian tumours - implant on the peritoneum

Gross appearance

Pancreatic carcinoma (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)

• Usually spherical nodules with adhesions to nearby structures
• Single or multiple, variable size
• Greyish or yellow fibrous tissue - firm on cutting
• May show internal necrosis and haemorrhage
• Some tumours may contain cysts wih mucinous content
• Adhesions may occur

Microscopic appearance

• May be well differentiated with normal acini and ducts
• Or diffuse sheet of undifferentiated cells