What is a IPMN branch?

What is a IPMN branch?

Branch duct IPMN's are cystic neoplasms of the pancreas that have malignant potential. Many are asymptomatic and are identified on imaging studies done for another indication. However, these cysts can cause pancreatitis or jaundice.

Is Side-Branch IPMN cancer?

Overall, approximately 80% of resected side-branch IPMNs are benign without histopathological features of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive tumor growth.

What does Side-Branch IPMN mean?

IPMN, an acronym for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm, is a cause of pancreatitis in which there is a transformation of the cells that line the pancreatic duct into premalignant cells —cells that display characteristics that may develop into pancreatic cancer— that produce mucous and block off the pancreatic ...

What is a branched intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm?

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of tumor that can occur within the cells of the pancreatic duct. IPMN tumors produce mucus, and this mucus can form pancreatic cysts. Although intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are benign tumors, they can progress to pancreatic cancer.

Is IPMN serious?

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of cyst that is found in the pancreas. These cysts are benign - meaning they are not cancerous to start. However, they are concerning because in a minority of cases an IPMN can develop into malignant (cancerous) tumors.

How long can you live with an IPMN?

1], for non-invasive IPMN 1 %, and for invasive IPMN 76 % and 69 %, respectively [Fig. 2]. Median overall survival is 120 months for the overall cohort; 120 months for patients with a non-invasive form and 111 months for patients with invasive IPMN.

How often does IPMN turn into cancer?

Of the 145 patients with IPMN, 13.8% (20/145) died. As shown in Figure ​2, the cause of death was extra-pancreatic cancer in 40% (8/20), pancreatic cancer in 25% (5/20), IPMN per se in 20% (4/20), and benign disease in 15% (3/20) of the patients.

How is IPMN treated?

An IPMN in the tail of the pancreas is treated with a surgical procedure called distal pancreatectomy. An IPMN found in the head of the pancreas is treated with a pancreaticoduodenectomy or Whipple procedure. In rare cases, the entire pancreas is removed in patients with IPMNs in a procedure called a pancreatectomy.

What percentage of IPMN become cancerous?

IPMNs in the main duct have up to a 70 percent risk of adenocarcinoma and require surgery.