Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review

BackgroundHeterotaxy polysplenia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by multiple abnormal spleens and irregular placement of various organs. Some patients have been documented as developing various types of cancers, although the association with heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome remains uncerta...

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Main Authors: Ziye Chen, Yu-Ann Chen, Xuedong Wang, Wenyan Song, Yadi Geng, Pengfei Wang, Siming Kong, Jiahong Dong, Hui Bai, Yunfang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1537227/full
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author Ziye Chen
Ziye Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Xuedong Wang
Wenyan Song
Wenyan Song
Yadi Geng
Yadi Geng
Pengfei Wang
Siming Kong
Jiahong Dong
Jiahong Dong
Hui Bai
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
author_facet Ziye Chen
Ziye Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Xuedong Wang
Wenyan Song
Wenyan Song
Yadi Geng
Yadi Geng
Pengfei Wang
Siming Kong
Jiahong Dong
Jiahong Dong
Hui Bai
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
author_sort Ziye Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundHeterotaxy polysplenia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by multiple abnormal spleens and irregular placement of various organs. Some patients have been documented as developing various types of cancers, although the association with heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome remains uncertain. Most cases of heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome are isolated anomalies, but there are rare instances where it appears in closely related individuals, suggesting possible genetic inheritance.Case presentationWe report the case of a 36-year-old woman with heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome, who presented with choledocholithiasis, thickening and stenosis of the hepatic portal bile duct wall, duodenal atresia, and congenital pancreatic insufficiency. Following recovery from a COVID-19 infection, the patient incidentally identified a mass in the upper abdomen. Pathological examination revealed the mass to be a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of pancreaticobiliary origin. Additionally, a familial pattern of situs inversus and breast cancer was observed. In this report, we also provide a comprehensive literature review to enhance the understanding of heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome and to explore the potential association between this condition and tumor development.ConclusionOur report contributes to the current knowledge about heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome and its potential association with tumors. Effective integration of clinical diagnostic information, exploration of precise means of diagnosing and treating rare diseases, and incorporation of the patient's familial background are promising for future research and clinical interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-e89a95833726463cacf1b9e38a3721dd2025-08-20T02:05:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-06-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15372271537227Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature reviewZiye Chen0Ziye Chen1Yu-Ann Chen2Yu-Ann Chen3Xuedong Wang4Wenyan Song5Wenyan Song6Yadi Geng7Yadi Geng8Pengfei Wang9Siming Kong10Jiahong Dong11Jiahong Dong12Hui Bai13Yunfang Wang14Yunfang Wang15Yunfang Wang16Yunfang Wang17School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaPrecision Hepatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaHepatopancreatobiliary Center, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaHepatopancreatobiliary Center, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaFaculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaFaculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, ChinaHepatopancreatobiliary Center, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaHepatopancreatobiliary Center, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaPrecision Hepatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaHepatopancreatobiliary Center, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundHeterotaxy polysplenia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by multiple abnormal spleens and irregular placement of various organs. Some patients have been documented as developing various types of cancers, although the association with heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome remains uncertain. Most cases of heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome are isolated anomalies, but there are rare instances where it appears in closely related individuals, suggesting possible genetic inheritance.Case presentationWe report the case of a 36-year-old woman with heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome, who presented with choledocholithiasis, thickening and stenosis of the hepatic portal bile duct wall, duodenal atresia, and congenital pancreatic insufficiency. Following recovery from a COVID-19 infection, the patient incidentally identified a mass in the upper abdomen. Pathological examination revealed the mass to be a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of pancreaticobiliary origin. Additionally, a familial pattern of situs inversus and breast cancer was observed. In this report, we also provide a comprehensive literature review to enhance the understanding of heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome and to explore the potential association between this condition and tumor development.ConclusionOur report contributes to the current knowledge about heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome and its potential association with tumors. Effective integration of clinical diagnostic information, exploration of precise means of diagnosing and treating rare diseases, and incorporation of the patient's familial background are promising for future research and clinical interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1537227/fullheterotaxy polysplenia syndromecongenital pancreatic insufficiencyCOVID-19duodenal atresiacholangiopancreatic cancer
spellingShingle Ziye Chen
Ziye Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Yu-Ann Chen
Xuedong Wang
Wenyan Song
Wenyan Song
Yadi Geng
Yadi Geng
Pengfei Wang
Siming Kong
Jiahong Dong
Jiahong Dong
Hui Bai
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Yunfang Wang
Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
Frontiers in Medicine
heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome
congenital pancreatic insufficiency
COVID-19
duodenal atresia
cholangiopancreatic cancer
title Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
title_full Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
title_fullStr Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
title_short Heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review
title_sort heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome with cholangiopancreatic cancer a case report and literature review
topic heterotaxy polysplenia syndrome
congenital pancreatic insufficiency
COVID-19
duodenal atresia
cholangiopancreatic cancer
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1537227/full
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