A case of nonfunctioning pancreatic islet cell tumor in a young female

Pancreatic endocrine tumors are uncommon and represent 1-2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors constitute 30-40% of pancreatic endocrine tumors. They can occur at any age, but are rare in childhood. About 65-80% of nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors are associated with clear-cut evidence of malignant behavior. A 14-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain of 2 weeks duration with occasional vomiting. Abdominal examination did not reveal any abnormality. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed solid mass lesion located in the head of pancreas. The patient underwent Whipple's pancreaticodudenectomy. Microscopically, the mass was circumscribed, containing oval to polygonal cells. There was no pleomorphism, significant mitotic activity or evidence of capsular or vascular invasion, and a diagnosis of benign pancreatic islet cell tumor was made. Although benign nonfunctioning pancreatic islet cell tumor is rare in children, such diagnosis should be considered when there is an isolated mass in the pancreas. Appropriate resection of such mass is attended with good outcome.