Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: a single institution experience of 14 cases

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas (SPN) is a rare entity; therefore proper diagnosis, evaluation and formulation of treatment protocols is difficult. A total of 14 cases were diagnosed and treated at our institute over a 10-year period (1992-2002). A retrospective study of all these cases was performed with respect to age group most frequently affected, sex ratio, common presenting symptoms and signs, investigative protocols, pathological features, treatment offered, outcome and prognosis. All the 14 patients were females, with a median age of 20 years (range 13-45 years). The commonest presenting symptom was abdominal pain. All these patients underwent surgical exploration; 13 patients underwent resection of the tumour. The average length of postoperative hospital stay was 10.3 days. Significant postoperative morbidity was seen in only one case. There was no postoperative mortality. All these patients who underwent resection were disease-free on follow-up ranging from 6 to 96 months (median 36 months).