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Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2006; 12(20): 3180-3185
Published online May 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i20.3180
Less common neoplasms of the pancreas
Abby L Mulkeen, Peter S Yoo, Charles Cha
Abby L Mulkeen, Peter S Yoo, Charles Cha, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT and the VACT Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 330 Cedar Street, LH 118, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT, 06520-8062, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Charles Cha, MD, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, LH 118, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT, 06520-8062, United States. charles.cha@yale.edu
Telephone: +1-203-7852380 Fax: +1-203-7852615
Received: March 29, 2006
Revised: April 7, 2006
Accepted: April 16, 2006
Published online: May 28, 2006
Abstract

Recently, there has been an increased recognition of neoplasms of the pancreas other than ductal adenocarcinoma. Although not as well studied or characterized as pancreatic adenocarcinoma there are many distinct lesions which exhibit diverse biological behaviors and varying degrees of malignancy. These lesions include: endocrine neoplasms, cystic tumors, solid pseudopapillary tumors, acinar cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, primary lymphoma of the pancreas, and metastatic lesions to the pancreas. These less common neoplasms are being diagnosed more frequently as the number and sensitivity of diagnostic imaging studies increase. This review article discusses the clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment of these less common, but quite relevant, neoplasms of the pancreas.

Keywords: Pancreas; Neoplasms; Ductal adenocarcinoma