Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Context Although, squamous metaplasia of the ductal columnar cells can be observed during periods of inflammation, squamous cell pancreatic carcinoma is an extremely rare tumour. Case report We present the case of a 72- year-old man who presented to our hospital with painless obstructive jaundice. After careful and adequate staging investigations that revealed a malignant mass in the head of pancreas he underwent a laparotomy which revealed an inoperable pancreatic cancer. Palliative bypass procedure was done. The biopsy specimens revealed a squamous cell cancer. Conclusion Pure squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a very rare malignancy. In most cases it is not possible to make a preoperative histological diagnosis and curative resection is unlikely because of dissemination at the time of initial diagnosis or laparotomy.