Diagnosis and treatment of solid-pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas

Solid-pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) of the pancreas have been reported as rare lesions with "low malignant potential" occurring mainly in young women. This study was designed to define the clinicopathological characteristics and the effect of surgical intervention.

A retrospective clinical analysis was made of 21 patients with solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas admitted from June 1994 to December 2004.

Abdominal pain as the major complaint was found in 13 patients, and palpable abdominal mass in 7. Imaging examination showed the abdominal mass clearly, but diagnosis was not defined. In 12 patients, tumors were located in the pancreatic head and in 9 patients, in the pancreatic tail. The average diameter of the tumor was 9.5 cm (range, 3-20 cm). One patient had liver metastasis. The diagnosis of the tumor was proved pathologically during operation in 14 patients, and other 3 patients who had been diagnosed as having insulinoma and other malignant tumors were confirmed by paraffin section and enzyme labeling after operation. Eighteen patients (85.7%) were followed up with a median period of 24 months, 1-60 months without tumor recurrence.

Huge pancreatic masses of the pancreas in young women are suggestive of solid-pseudopapillary tumors. Aggressive surgical therapy can result in good prognosis in these patients.