A pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous tumor causing recurrent acute pancreatitis at the onset of menstrual periods

The unusual case of a young woman with pancreatitis recurring at onset of h er menstrual periods is reported. The patient was diagnosed with pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT). The temporal relation of clin ical exacerbation of pancreatitis to the menstrual cycle is suggestive of a hormonal-mediated mechanism. The hypothesis of a possible role of progeste rone receptors was dismissed with verification of the absence of progestero ne and estrogen receptors in the neoplastic tissue. The possible role of ac tivin A or inhibin A in our patient's clinical picture is theorized.