Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas

Definition

Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma of pancreas is a rare epithelial tumor of pancreas characterized by malignant, mucin-producing cystic mass, originating from the pancreatic ductal system, associated with local invasion and metastatic spread, composed of mucin-producing, columnar epithelial cells covering the dilated pancreatic ducts with a papillary structure. The presenting symptoms are non-specific and include abdominal pain, pancreatitis, steatorrhea, jaundice and diabetes. Many patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.