[Chronic pancreatitis as a predisposing factor in the development of pancreatic cancer. Histological and histochemical studies].

The frequency of hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia and dysplasia were examined in glandular tissue from 20 pancreatic specimens resected due to chronic inflammation. Hyperplasia of the epithelium of large pancreatic ducts with formation of papillomatous outgrowths was present in 6 cases. Epithelial hyperplasia of small ducts occurred in 10 cases. Dysplasia and squamous metaplasia of the epithelium of ducts, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and dysplasia of acinar cells were found in 7 cases. In 10 pancreatic specimens hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells of the islets of Langerhans were noted. Increased histochemical reactions to dehydrogenases and proteinic thiol groups were present in epithelial cells which demonstrated hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia or dysplasia. Diminution of the PAS reaction to neutral glycoproteins and intensification of the reaction to acid glycoproteins were also noted in the ductal epithelium. The results obtained suggest that chronic inflammation of the pancreas should be clinically regarded as predisposing to the development of pancreatic cancer.