Pancreatic carcinoma associated with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction.

Anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction often leads to biliary tract carcinoma but only rarely to pancreatic carcinoma. We report three cases of pancreatic carcinoma associated with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction. All three were female with a mean age of 68 years. Carcinomas were located in the pancreatic head (n = 2) or body (n = 1). None had choledochal cyst and one had experienced recurrent acute pancreatitis. All carcinomas were at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. No unique imaging or histologic findings of the carcinomas could be identified. Attention should be paid to the possibility of pancreatic carcinoma in patients with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction, particularly in aged patients. Early diagnosis and treatment of anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction may prevent development of pancreatic carcinoma.