IPMN of the Pancreas - Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm - pancreatic cystic neoplasm part 6
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a type of pancreatic cystic neoplasm that grows within the pancreatic ducts and produces mucin. It's considered a precursor lesion to invasive pancreatic cancer, although not all IPMNs progress to cancer.
IPMNs are classified based on various features, including their location within the pancreas (main duct, branch duct, or mixed type), size, presence of dysplasia (abnormal cell growth), and the presence of worrisome features such as dilation of the main pancreatic duct or the presence of solid components within the cystic lesion.
Management of IPMN typically involves surveillance with periodic imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans to monitor for changes in the size or characteristics of the tumor. Surgical resection may be recommended for IPMNs that show high-risk features or have progressed to a certain stage of dysplasia, to reduce the risk of developing invasive pancreatic cancer.