| [ Summary ] |
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are characterized by mucinous papillae developing in dilated pancreatic ducts. A diagnosis of IPMN is made according to the degree of atypia and invasion of neoplastic cells. Differential diagnoses includes cystic neoplasms, intraductal tubular neoplasms, and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Macroscopic images of IPMN are classified into the main duct type, the branch duct type or the mixed type. Microscopic morphological variations of papillae of IPMN are classified into gastric, intestinal, pancreatobiliary, or oncocytic types. The diagnosis, the macroscopic type, and the microscopic type of IPMN areassociated with each other as well as prognosis. |