CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF PEDIATRIC PANCREATIC TUMORS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pediatric pancreatic tumors are rare, presenting with different histological features and prognoses compared to adults. Surgery remains the primary treatment for the majority of these tumors. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of pediatric pancreatic tumors at Children’s Hospital 2.
Methods: A retrospective case series evaluated 40 pediatric patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic tumors at Children’s Hospital 2 between 2016 and 2026.
Results: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) accounted for the majority of cases (n=34), followed by pancreatoblastoma (n=3), neuroendocrine tumors (n=2), and teratoma (n=1). SPNs occurred predominantly in females (85%), abdominal pain is the most common symptom (85%). SPNs mainly located in the pancreatic head (64.71%), with a median size of 58mm. Tumor enucleation was performed in 22 cases. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 5 cases. Two main early post-operative complications included pancreatic fistula (n=2), and pancreatitis (n=5). Two patients developed late pancreatic pseudocysts. The median follow-up time for SPN was 27.4 months (IQR 11.0–59.0). Notably, one SPN patient developed liver metastasis 6 years postoperatively. Mortality was recorded in one patient with metastatic pancreatoblastoma.
Conclusion: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) account for the majority of pediatric pancreatic tumor. Tumor enucleation is a feasible, safe, and effective method for SPN cases in the pancreatic head. The prognosis of SPN is favorable; however, long-term follow-up is necessary due to the risk of local recurrence or distant metastasis.
Keywords
Pediatric pancreatic tumor, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas, pancreatic fistula, enucleation
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References
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