| [ Summary ] |
Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are distinct clinicopathological entities. In this review, important features for differential diagnosis between IPMNs and MCNs are summarized. IPMNs are duct-ectatic neoplasms in the pancreatic head, with male predominance. MCNs are cyst-forming neoplasms in the body or tail of the pancreas, seen almost exclusively in females. MCNs are often accompanied by "ovarian-type stroma". These tumors take an indolent clinical course, when compared with conventional ductal carcinoma of the pancreas. Next, we review the recent immunohistochemical and molecular studies in IPMN. In contrast to the progress in understanding molecular genetics of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma, relatively little is known about what occurs in IPMN. However, some important studies such as LOH analyses, methylation analyses, etc. have also been performed in IPMNs. Finally, we focus on the invasive cases of IPMN, and then discuss the relationship between IPMN and invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, on the basis of clinicopathologic studies. |