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The Many Faces of Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Case Report
Author(s) -
JANA D. K.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1972.tb00837.x
Subject(s) - medicine , jaundice , autopsy , differential diagnosis , carcinoma , anorexia , general surgery , pancreas , radiological weapon , peptic ulcer , abdomen , pediatrics , surgery , pathology
A 91‐year‐old woman was admitted to a mental hospital, with a primary psychiatric diagnosis. For two years she had had various abdominal complaints and anorexia, and finally had become “grossly disturbed.” However, the physical, radiological and laboratory findings were not conclusive, although a diagnosis of peptic ulcer was entertained at one time. She became almost completely withdrawn. There was no jaundice until shortly before death, which occurred after twelve weeks in the hospital. Autopsy revealed carcinoma of the head of the pancreas with extensive metastases. This case illustrates the difficulties in differential diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, especially when several of the most common features are absent initially and when the picture is predominantly psychiatric.