Papillary cystic and solid tumour of the pancreas: Report of a case and literature review

BACKGROUND The papillary cystic and solid tumour of the pancreas (PCSTP) is a rare primary neoplasm of unknown pathogenesis typically found in young women. PCSTP is a low-grade malignant tumour, which is often asymptomatic but it may present with abdominal pain. CASE PRESENTATION A 38 year old female patient who presented with one day history of epigastric pain was diagnosed as PCSTP. The patient was successfully treated with distal pancreatectomy. CONCLUSION It is important to differentiate this tumour from other pancreatic tumours because, unlike malignant pancreatic tumours, this neoplasm does not usually metastasise and is amenable to cure after complete surgical resection. However, the cell origin and the aetiology of this tumour are not clear and further studies are warranted in its pathogenesis.