Editorial
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World J Gastrointest Surg. Oct 27, 2010; 2(10): 299-305
Published online Oct 27, 2010. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v2.i10.299
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: Coming of age
Charles M Vollmer Jr, Elijah Dixon
Charles M Vollmer Jr, Division of General Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
Elijah Dixon, Division of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9, Canada
Author contributions: Vollmer Jr CM and Dixon E wrote this paper.
Correspondence to: Charles M Vollmer Jr, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of General Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Stoneman 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02215, United States. cvollmer@bidmc.harvard.edu
Telephone: +1-617-6672633 Fax: +1-617-6677756
Received: May 18, 2010
Revised: September 12, 2010
Accepted: September 19, 2010
Published online: October 27, 2010
Abstract

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a disease in evolution. Since its first description almost 30 years ago, a better understanding of the disease has steadily accrued. Yet, there are numerous challenges still for clinicians who treat this fascinating disease. A group of leading content experts on IPMN was assembled and charged with presenting cutting-edge knowledge on various topics for which they have considerable experience. This manuscript provides an historical perspective of both clinical and biological quandaries that have been resolved to date. Furthermore, it poses new avenues for investigation while highlighting the contributions of the various authors to this collective review.

Keywords: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, Natural history, Pancreatic surgery