Intraductal papillary and mucinous tumours of the pancreas: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Intraductal papillary and mucinous tumors of the pancreas (IPMT) have been recently well defined histologically. Recent reports have described their d iagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The malignant potential of these lesi ons warrants their surgical resection. The main difficulty of their managem ent is the pre-operative assessment of ductal extension and grade of dyspla sia. Despite the use of various imaging modalities (ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasonography, CT scan, retrograde pancreatography, pancreatic MRI), exam ination of the pancreatic margin on frozen section remains mandatory to ens ure complete resection of epithelial lesions. This usually requires partial pancreatic resection. The long-term outcome is favourable for lesions with no invasive component. Recurrence in case of invasive malignant transforma tion appear to be more frequent than previously reported.