ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the branch duct type has been reported that it is associated with less aggressive histologic features than the main duct type. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and the optimal management of branch duct type IPMT. METHODS: From October 1994 to November 2004, 30 cases who underwent operations with branch duct type IPMT were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic findings and late results of treatment were studied in 20 cases of the benign (adenoma, borderline malignancy) group and in 10 cases of the malignant (carcinoma in situ, invasive carcinoma) group. RESULTS: There were statistically significant difference in the 3 factors (mural nodule (P=0.030), diameter of the main pancreatic duct (P=0.036), main location of the tumor (P= 0.031)). There was no statistically significant difference in th survival analysis between the main duct type IPMT including combined type IPMT and the branch duct type IPMT (P=0.572), but there was significant difference between the benign group and the malignant group of the branch duct type IPMT (P=0.049). CONCLUSION: The long-term follow up result of the branch duct type IPMT is similar to that of the main and combined duct type IPMT. Therefore, it is not safe just to monitor the branch duct type IPMT. Our results suggest that surgery is certainly the gold standard treatment for the branch duct type IPMT. And after operation, close long term follow up with appropriate treatment is necessary due to tumor recurrence.