Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Tumors in Childhood and Adolescence: Uncommon Neoplasms with Favorable Outcome

Background/Aims: Pancreatic tumors in children and adolescents are uncommon. The aim of the present paper was to analyze short- and long-term outcomes after surgical treatment of primary pancreatic neoplasms in children and adolescents at a single high-volume center for pancreatic diseases. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records and pathology reports of patients younger than 18 years who underwent surgery at Verona University Hospital from 1990 through 2010. Results:The study population consisted of 20 patients. Abdominal pain and palpable mass were the most common presenting symptoms. No patient had a locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic disease. Complete resection (R0) was achieved in 19 patients. There was no postoperative mortality, but postoperative complications occurred in 5 cases (25%). Histological examination showed 12 solid pseudopapillary tumors, 5 neuroendocrine tumors, 2 cystadenomas and 1 epithelial malignant tumor. At a median follow-up of 49.5 months (range: 7-234), there was no tumor recurrence. Postoperative diabetes was diagnosed in 1 patient and 4 other patients developed pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Conclusion: In the setting of a high-volume surgical center, radical resection of pancreatic tumors in children and adolescents is associated with acceptable postoperative morbidity and favorable long-term outcome.