ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the investigation and treatment of signet ring cell carcinoma of pancreas.Method The clinical data of patients with histopathologically confirmed signet ring cell carcinoma of pancreas were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 4 patients with signet ring cell carcinoma.There was no patient who presented with a typical carcinoid syndrome.Most patients presented with upper abdominal pain,backache or jaundice caused by bile duct obstruction.In one patient CA19-9 and CEA were raised.All patients received palliative biliary bypass and needle biopsy of the tumour.The median survival was 2.8 months.Conclusions Pancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare disease with poor prognosis.Surgery is the only effective treatment but the resectability rate is low.Whether this tumour responds to chemotherapy requires further studies.