Comparison of mutations of ras oncogene in human pancratic exocrine and endocrine tumors. Discussion

Background. Ras oncogene mutations have been found in many human cancers; however, pancreatic endocrine tumors have rarely been studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze ras mutations in pancreatic endocrine tumors and to compare these results with the incidence of ras mutations in pancreatic exocrine cancers studied in our laboratory. Methods. Ras oncogene mutations were studied in 33 foregut endocrine tumors (pancreatic 31, duodenal submucosa 2). Eleven were insulinomas, 12 gastrinomas, 2 glucagonomas, and 11 others were nonfunctioning islet cell carcinomas. Thirteen were benign and 20 were malignant. These were compared with 65 pancreatic exocrine cancers