[Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN)--standards and new aspects].

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas belong to the heterogeneous group of cystic pancreatic lesions and have been diagnosed more frequently in recent years. Diagnosis and differentiation from other cystic lesions (pseudocysts, serous-cystic neoplasias [SCN], mucinous-cystic neoplasias [MCN], intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasias [IPMN] and solid pseudopapillary neoplasias [SPN]) is often challenging. IPMN of the pancreas are considered as precursor lesions for the development of invasive pancreatic cancer. However, depending on the morphological (MD-IPMN, BD-IPMN) and histological subtype (intestinal, pancreatobiliary, oncocytic or gastric) the malignant potential of IPMNs varies significantly. Hence, early diagnosis and selection of the appropriate therapeutic strategy is necessary for optimal outcome and cure. There is a strong consensus for the resection of all MD-IPMN. Small BD-IPMN without signs of malignancy can be followed by observation. The increasing understanding of the histopathology and tumour biology of IPMN has led to an amendment of the 2006 International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) guidelines for the treatment of cystic pancreatic tumours. In consideration of recent data, recommendations for observation and/or follow-up of IPMN cannot be given definitely.