Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas in a pregnant female: a case report

ABSTRACT

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm that occurs mostly in young women. Its origin remains enigmatic. This tumor is often clinically asymptomatic, yet patients may present with a gradually enlarging abdominal mass or vague abdominal pain or discomfort. Despite of its low malignant potential, 10% to 15% of the cases have aggressive behavior with metastatic dissemination. It generally carries a much better prognosis than the typical adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, and surgical excision is usually curative. We present a 30 year old female who developed colicky left loin pain and backache during the second month of her first pregnancy. Ultrasound revealed a mass in the tail of the pancreas. Distal pancreatectomy was done, the biopsy result indicated solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas