Abstract
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare and aggressive variant of ductal adenocarcinoma which presents both glandular and squamous morphologic features. A cytologic diagnosis of adenosquamous carcinoma on fine needle aspirate preparations is dependent on the identification of both malignant glandular and squamous components. Diagnosis of the malignancy is not particularly difficult if both glandular and squamous components are abundant; however, diagnostic challenges may occur when there is scant cellularity of one of the components, or if one of the components is absent. Because a primary squamous carcinoma of the pancreas is non-existent, a careful search and identification of glandular malignant cells is essential in cases that are squamous dominant.
In this report a case of adenosquamous carcinoma is presented in which a fine needle aspirate was performed. The cytologic and histologic features are described. The cytology findings showed a two cell population of malignant squamous and glandular cells. The histologic findings also showed both glandular and squamous malignant cells, thus confirming the diagnosis of adenosquamous carcinoma.