Solid and Papillary Epithelial Neoplasms of the Pancreas

Abstract

Background : Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm(SPEN) of the pancreas is a rare tumor with low grade malignant potential and usually found in young female patients. The prognosis of this lesion is reported to be much more favorable than other pancreatic neoplasms. Methods : We report four cases of SPENs of the pancreas treated at the department of surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Three were women and one was a man and their mean age at the time of surgery was 19 years with the ranges between 11 and 29 years of age. Two patients were admitted with a palpable abdominal mass and another two patients with abdominal pain. Results of laboratory studies including serum amylases and tumor markers were all within normal limits. Diagnosis was made preoperatively in three patients by MRI and needle biopsies. Tumors were located in the head portion in three patients and in the body of the pancreas in one patient. Results : All patients underwent complete resection which involved three enucleations and one pancreaticoduodenectomy. All patients are alive at the time of this report with mean follow up period of 69.5 month (the ranges between 8 and 105 months) without evidence of recurrence. Conclusion : In our experience, complete resection of this neoplasm is the treatment of choice and the prognosis is excellent.