Solid and cystic papillary neoplasm of pancreas: A clinic-pathological and immunohistochemical study: A tertiary care center experience

BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPT) is a rare tumor of low malignant potential, mostly described in young women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study from January 2000 - December 2010, there were 50 pancreatic tumors. In this period, four SPTs were encountered, which were analyzed with respect to clinical, imaging, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. RESULTS: There was a female preponderance with mean age of 22.2 years. Two of the tumors were located in head of the pancreas and two in the body and tail region. On imaging, majority were large cystic tumors. Histopathologically, they exhibited extensive necrosis and presence of pseudo papillae in viable areas. Immunohistochemically, they were positive for alpha-1-anti-trypsin, alpha-1-anti-chymotrypsin, vimentin, CD10, and CD99. Progesterone receptor and p53 exhibited mild positivity in all of the four cases, whereas neuron specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin, and chromogranin showed focal positivity in one case. CONCLUSION: Despite its non-specific clinical, imaging, and even immunohistochemical features, characteristic gross and microscopic findings provide reliable diagnosis of SPTs.