Quantitative indexes of stromal markers expression in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis

Differential diagnosis between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis with severe fibrosis of the stroma is often complicated by the fact that the rich desmoplastic tumor stroma imitates diffuse foci of fibrosis in pancreatitis. Aim. In order to quantify the expression of stromal markers in desmoplastic stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and foci of severe fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis in 60 patients relative area of expression of α-SMA, desmin, fibronectin, and collagen types I and III was studied by immunohistochemistry and digital photomorphomety. Results. There were significant differences in the quantitative expression of these markers in the desmoplastic stroma of ductal carcinoma and in areas of severe fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis, which can be used in the differential biopsy diagnosis of these diseases