Intraductal papillary‐mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

Abstract

Two distinct patterns of intraductal papillae are seen in patients with IPMNs: intestinal and pancreatobiliary. Both in situ and invasive carcinoma may be encountered more commonly than previously recognized. Tubular type invasive carcinomas occur as well as mucinous type (colloid) carcinomas. Although the neoplasms are less aggressive as a group than conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, patients with IPMNs may pursue a deadly course, even in the absence of identifiable invasive carcinoma. Conversely, patients with tubular type invasive carcinoma arising in the background of IPMN may follow a more favorable course than patients with conventional ductal adenocarcinoma without IPMN, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the IPMN component in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.