Case Report
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2009; 15(5): 628-632
Published online Feb 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.628
Multifocal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas-A case report
Kun-Chun Chiang, Jun Te Hsu, Huang-Yang Chen, Shyh Chuan Jwo, Tsann-Long Hwang, Yi-Yin Jan, Chun-Nan Yeh
Kun-Chun Chiang, Jun Te Hsu, Huang-Yang Chen, Shyh Chuan Jwo, Tsann-Long Hwang, Yi-Yin Jan, Chun-Nan Yeh, Department of Surgery Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 333, China
Author contributions: Chiang KC wrote the manuscript; Hsu JT, Chen HY and Jwo SC provided the data and contributed to the manuscript writing; Hwang TL, Jan YY, Yeh CN supervised and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Chun-Nan Yeh, Department of General Surgery, 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 333, China. ycn@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Telephone: +886-3-3281200
Fax: +886-3-3285818
Received: September 9, 2008
Revised: December 17, 2008
Accepted: December 24, 2008
Published online: February 7, 2009
Abstract

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are relatively rare, comprising 10 percent of pancreatic cysts and only 1 percent of pancreatic cancers. Cystic neoplasms include mucinous cystic neoplasms, serous cystadenomas, papillary cystic tumors, cystic islet cell tumors and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs). IPMN was first described in 1982. It has been most commonly described in 60 to 70 years old males, and represents a relatively “new” but increasingly recognized disease. The improvement and widespread use of modern imaging equipments and heightened awareness of physicians contribute to the increasing incidence of IPMN. The majority of IPMNs are located in the pancreatic head (75%) while the rest involves the body/tail regions. Multifocal IPMNs have been hypothesized, but the true presence of multifocality is unknown. Here we present a 72-year-old male diagnosed with IPMN (carcinoma in situ) in the pancreatic head and a branch duct type IPMN (duct atypia) in the pancreatic body and tail. The patient underwent a Whipple intervention and a distal pancreatectomy. A three-year disease-free survival has been observed so far.

Keywords: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; Pancreas; Multifocal; Pancreatectomy; Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms