Management strategy for multifocal branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

OBJECTIVES: Branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (BD-IPMNs) often are composed of multifocal lesions. We aimed to clarify the clinicopathologic features of multifocal BD-IPMNs. METHODS: Medical records of 211 patients with BD-IPMNs (169 solitary and 42 multifocal) were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the pathological grade of resected IPMNs and the resulting clinical course between solitary and multifocal BD-IPMNs. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (54 with solitary and 15 with multifocal BD-IPMNs) underwent pancreatectomy, and of these patients, 62 exhibited at least 1 malignant predictor. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of malignancy in the resected BD-IPMNs between the 2 groups. In the remaining 142 patients who exhibited no malignant predictors, both groups demonstrated no differences in morphologic changes of BD-IPMNs. Seventeen distinct ductal carcinomas were identified in both groups, and there was no difference in the prevalence of ductal carcinoma between the 2 groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the disease-specific survival rate between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multifocal BD-IPMNs, resection is only warranted for lesions that exhibit malignancy predictors; moreover, closer attention to the potential presence or development of distinct ductal carcinoma in patients with multifocal and solitary BD-IPMNs is warranted.