[A comparison between hyperplasia of ductal epithelium and mucin producing tumor of the pancreas].

A comparison between papillary proliferation of the ductal epithelium with goblet cell metaplasia (Hyperplasia) and mucin producing tumor (MPT) of the pancreas was studied clinicopathologically. Hyperplasia was found in 35 out of 56 autopsied cases (62.5%) and revealed an age-related frequency. Hyperplasia was situated chiefly in the branches of pancreatic duct, whereas MPT in both the main and branches of pancreatic duct. The ducts with hyperplasia frequently contained secretions in their lumens and were found in the proximity of isolated islets of Langerhans, while MPT consisted of high columnar and mucin producing cells, arranged in cyst-papillary pattern, filled with mucin and accompanied by disappearance of the surrounding parenchyma. Both Hyperplasia and MPT were frequently occurred in an elderly age group. Therefore, papillary hyperplasia of the ductal epithelium with goblet cell metaplasia and mucin producing tumor showed similar appearance, except for cellular atypism.