Isolated Pancreatic Sarcoidosis Masquerading as Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

A 50-year-old man with no known medical history presented with a four-year history of epigastric pain and weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas concerning for adenocarcinoma. The patient twice underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy, with inconclusive results. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed localized disease, concerning for malignancy. With no definitive diagnosis or treatment options, and after multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent a Whipple procedure. Pathology revealed granulomatous inflammation of the pancreas and surrounding lymph nodes, consistent with sarcoidosis. Here, we present a rare case of isolated pancreatic sarcoidosis masquerading as pancreatic malignancy in a patient without a known history of sarcoidosis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-09-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.92547
Primary Topic
Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Isolated Pancreatic Sarcoidosis Masquerading as Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Sean C. Rice, Andrew Mims
Cureus
Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research
article

Isolated Pancreatic Sarcoidosis Masquerading as Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Sean C. Rice, Andrew Mims
article en

Abstract

A 50-year-old man with no known medical history presented with a four-year history of epigastric pain and weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas concerning for adenocarcinoma. The patient twice underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy, with inconclusive results. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed localized disease, concerning for malignancy. With no definitive diagnosis or treatment options, and after multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent a Whipple procedure. Pathology revealed granulomatous inflammation of the pancreas and surrounding lymph nodes, consistent with sarcoidosis. Here, we present a rare case of isolated pancreatic sarcoidosis masquerading as pancreatic malignancy in a patient without a known history of sarcoidosis.

CureusVol. 17(9)
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research
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