Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor (PEComa) of the Pancreas in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are mesenchymal tumors of peculiar cells that are focally associated with blood vessels, and generally have a distinctive bi-phenotypic expression of both smooth muscle and melanocytic markers. There are several entities in the PEComa family, including tumors that arise in the soft tissues and viscera. Frequently affected organs include the lungs (sugar tumors), uterus, broad ligament, colon, small bowel, liver, and pancreas. Ulcerative colitis (UC) has been associated with the development of tumors, especially colorectal and hepatobiliary carcinomas. Rare cases of UC have been reported in the PEComa family of tumors, but none in the pancreas. Here, we present a case study of a 27-year-old female patient with a history of UC who developed PEComa of the pancreas, a unique association that has not been previously reported. We also review reported cases of PEComas in the pancreas, as well as PEComas at all anatomic sites associated with UC.