Branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: observations in 145 patients who underwent resection

Gastroenterology. 2007 Jul;133(1):72-9; quiz 309-10. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.05.010. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

Background & aims: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas arising in branch ducts are thought to be less aggressive than their main-duct counterparts, and guidelines for their conservative management were recently proposed. This study describes the combined experience of 2 tertiary centers with branch-duct IPMNs aiming to validate these recommendations.

Methods: A review of 145 patients with resected, pathologically confirmed, branch-duct IPMNs between 1990 and 2005 was conducted.

Results: Sixty-six patients (45.5%) had adenoma, 47 (32%) borderline tumors, 16 (11%) carcinoma in situ, and 16 (11%) invasive carcinoma. Median age was similar between benign and malignant subgroups (66 vs 67.5 years, respectively). Jaundice was more frequent in patients with cancer (12.5% vs 1.8%, respectively, P = .022) and abdominal pain in patients with benign tumors (45% vs 25%, respectively, P = .025). Forty percent of tumors were discovered incidentally. Findings associated with malignancy were the presence of a thick wall (P < .001), nodules (P < .001), and tumor diameter >or=30 mm (P < .001). All neoplasms with cancer were larger than 30 mm in size or had nodules or caused symptoms. After a mean follow-up of 45 months, the 5-year disease-specific survival for branch-duct IPMNs with noninvasive neoplasms was 100% and, for invasive cancer, was 63%.

Conclusions: This large cohort of resected branch-duct IPMNs shows that cancer is present in 22% of cases and validates the recent guidelines that indicate absence of malignancy in tumors <30 mm, without symptoms or mural nodules.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / surgery*
  • Adenoma / mortality
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma in Situ / mortality
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards
  • Survival Analysis