How are main duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms treated?
As many as 70% of main duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms harbor high-grade dysplasia (the step right before an invasive cancer develops) or an invasive cancer. Main duct type IPMNs are therefore significant lesions, and, in general, most main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms should be surgically resected if the patient can safely tolerate surgery (see reference 5). It is important that this surgery is carried out by surgeons with ample experience with pancreatic surgery (see reference 5). Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms in the tail of the pancreas are usually resected using a procedure called a “distal pancreatectomy.” Surgeons at Johns Hopkins, including Drs. Martin Makary and Barish Edil, perform some distal pancreatectomies using minimally invasive procedures (laproscopic pancreatectomy). IPMNs in the head or uncinate process of the pancreas are usually resected using a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy). A total pancreatectomy (remova
