Papillary Cystic and Solid Neoplasm of the Pancreas

Cho, Yong Hoon; Sim, Mun Sup; Moon, Sang Eun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Papillary cystic and solid neoplasm of the pancreas is a relatively rare tumor that usually occurs in young adult women. This tumor is distinct from the usual ductal adenocarcinoma in clinical and histologic features. It has a much more favorable prognosis than other tumors of the pancreas due to a low incidence of metastasis and good resectability.
METHODS
We reviewed eight patients who were treated at the Department of Surgery of PNUH (Pusan National University Hospital) from Jan. 1985 to Dec. 1996.
RESULTS
Seven patients were women, and one patient was a man; the mean age of the patients was 26.8 years (range: 14 years to 39 years). Their chief complaints were epigastric pain (75%), palpable mass (37.5%), left upper quadrant pain (25%), nausea, and dyspepsia. The results of laboratory studies, including tumor markers (CEA, CA-19-9), were all negative and nonspecific. Although these tumors can occur in any portion of the pancreas, they are usually located in the tail and the body. We also identified these tumors in the tail and the body of the pancreas. In our cases, we treated these tumor by a distal pancreatectomy, a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, a Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy, and enucleation; we didn't observe any morbidity or mortality. After discharge, there was no recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no specifically known orgin or pathogenesis of this tumor, but it is well controlled by surgical removal. At the same time, it is important to do a more aggressive diagnostic work up and to make greater effort, with attention given to papillary cystic and solid tumors, when we meet any cystic tumors of the pancreas.