Syndecan-1 and tenascin expression in cystic tumors of the pancreas.

CONTEXT Since benign and malignant mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas may be difficult to distinguish from each other; preoperative methods for differential diagnosis would reduce unnecessary surgery. OBJECTIVE To compare syndecan-1 and tenascin immunoexpression in benign and malignant cystic pancreatic tumors. DESIGN We used immunohistochemical staining for syndecan-1 and tenascin antibodies in tumor tissue samples. SETTING Helsinki University Central Hospital. PATIENTS Tissue material came from 33 patients undergoing surgery from 1979 to 2005 for cystic pancreatic tumors. RESULTS A statistically significant difference appeared in syndecan-1 expression between benign (mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) and mucinous carcinomas, but there was no significant difference in tenascin immunoexpression between these tumor groups. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that low syndecan-1 expression might serve as a predictive factor for malignancy in cystic tumors of the pancreas.