Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: Clinical-pathological features and management, a single-center experience

Abstract

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare tumor of low malignancy that occurs most often in females. The study describes the clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor and common differential diagnoses. Data were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Of 1661 patients operated for pancreatic tumors between January 2001 and September 2018, 15 patients were recorded. Patients included 12 females and 3 males, median age 40 (range 10 -87) years. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was diagnostic in eight patients and a preoperative biopsy in eight out of 10 patients. Median tumor size was 5 cm (range 2 -16 cm), 12 tumors were in the head, six in the body, and three in the tail of the gland. All patients except one had radical resection including one with hepatic and lymph node metastases, no patient underwent oncologic treatment. All patients are alive from 17.5 to 209.4 months postoperatively and without recurrence. Radical operation is usually curative and should also be offered to patients with metastases or recurrence as oncologic treatment has limited effect.