Extrapancreatic neoplasms occur with unusual frequency in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas.

OBJECTIVE

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas has a favorable prognosis. Non-pancreatic primary neoplasms have potential prognostic significance in patients with IPMT. This study focused on the incidence and characteristics of nonpancreatic neoplasms in IPMT patients.

METHODS

Forty-two patients (mean age, 64 yr) with IPMT underwent surgery; 16 had adenoma and 26 adenocarcinoma. Preoperative and postoperative, nonpancreatic neoplasms were investigated. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 4.2 yr (range, 0.2-13 yr). Furthermore, 46 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were analyzed for nonpancreatic neoplasms.

RESULTS

Five-year survival rates were 100% for benign and 82% for malignant IPMT. Twenty patients (48%) had nonpancreatic neoplasms, before (n = 11), at (n = 4), and after (n = 10) surgery for IPMT. Fifteen patients (32%) had nonpancreatic malignancies. Nonpancreatic neoplasms included colorectal adenomas (21%) and adenocarcinomas (12%), and gastric carcinomas (10%). One patient died of subsequent bile duct carcinoma. Development of nonpancreatic neoplasms was related to age but not to gender, family history, adjuvant chemotherapy, or IPMT pathology. The incidences of nonpancreatic neoplasms and malignancies were significantly higher in patients with IPMT than in those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (11% and 7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

IPMT is associated with a high incidence of nonpancreatic neoplasms, particularly colorectal neoplasms. In IPMT patients, systemic surveillance may allow early detection of second tumors. In preoperative screening and postoperative follow-up of patients with nonpancreatic neoplasms, the possibility of IPMT should be considered.