Which histologic features characterize chronic pancreatitis?

Which histologic features characterize chronic pancreatitis?

• A. Fibrosis, acinar cell loss, calcifications, and ductal irregularities
• B. Inflammation confined to ducts with preserved acinar tissue
• C. Fat necrosis without inflammation
• D. Desmoplastic invasion into surrounding tissue

Answer: (A)

Chronic pancreatitis is a pattern of long-standing pancreatic injury that leaves the gland scarred and structurally distorted. The histologic hallmarks reflect this chronic injury: fibrous tissue replacing much of the normal pancreatic parenchyma, loss of acinar cells as the exocrine tissue is destroyed, calcifications formed within the tissue or ducts from longstanding inflammation, and irregularities of the pancreatic ducts such as dilation, strictures, and uneven duct contours. This combination—fibrosis, acinar loss, calcifications, and ductal irregularities—captures the typical architecture change seen in chronic pancreatitis. Inflammation confined only to ducts with preserved acini does not fit the usual pattern, fat necrosis without inflammation is not characteristic, and desmoplastic tissue in CP does not invade surrounding tissues the way a carcinoma would.

Chronic pancreatitis is a pattern of long-standing pancreatic injury that leaves the gland scarred and structurally distorted. The histologic hallmarks reflect this chronic injury: fibrous tissue replacing much of the normal pancreatic parenchyma, loss of acinar cells as the exocrine tissue is destroyed, calcifications formed within the tissue or ducts from longstanding inflammation, and irregularities of the pancreatic ducts such as dilation, strictures, and uneven duct contours. This combination—fibrosis, acinar loss, calcifications, and ductal irregularities—captures the typical architecture change seen in chronic pancreatitis. Inflammation confined only to ducts with preserved acini does not fit the usual pattern, fat necrosis without inflammation is not characteristic, and desmoplastic tissue in CP does not invade surrounding tissues the way a carcinoma would.