A MISDIAGNOSED ENTITY OF SOLID PSEUDO PAPILLARY TUMOR OF THE PANCREAS: A SMALL SERIES OF 4 CASES

Aims The aim of this study is to recognize these rare tumors and their low malignancy potential because complete resection is curative in most cases and provides favorable outcome.

Methods A retrospective study of patients operated for solid pseudo papillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) from January 2014 to December 2021, at Mohammed 6 University Hospital Oujda. Data collection included clinical features, biological tests, radiological/anatomopathological results and surgical modalities.

Results 4 cases of SPTP have been identified between 2014 and 2021. All patients were female with a median age of 29 (19-33). The most common symptom was upper abdominal pain in 75% of cases (n=3). There was one incidental finding using ultrasound in a 19-year-old pregnant woman during its medical follow-up. Physical examination was normal in all cases. All tumors were located in the head of the pancreas. Tumor size varied from 5 to 11 cm with an average size of 7,4 cm. There were no signs of metastasis on imaging. Tumor markers were within normal range. Diagnosis was made using endoscopic-ultrasound-fine-needle-aspiration in 75% of cases (n=3). Surgical interventions were cephalic duodeno-pancreatectomy in 3 cases and enucleation in one case. During follow-up, patients remain symptom-free with no signs of local recurrence.

Conclusions Although SPTP may be late diagnosed, the overall prognosis is excellent even with local or metastatic recurrence. Surgical resection is the preferred method and can sometimes be associated with chemotherapy.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022