Autoimmune pancreatitis masquerading as pancreatic cancer: case report of a Chinese man

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a type of chronic pancreatitis with an autoimmune basis, characterized by infiltrating lymphocytes and plasma cells and fibrosis. Imaging examination revealed pancreatic enlargement and irregular stenosis of the pancreatic duct, and laboratory inspection showed elevated serum IgG4 level. Effectiveness of glucocorticoids (hormone) management is a remarkable feature of this disease. It is reported that both AIP and pancreatic cancer show a marked predilection in older men, and AIP is easily misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer which leads to unnecessary surgery. Today we present a case of type I AIP in a 64-year-old Chinese old man.