[Intraductal neoplasms of the pancreas: cystic and common].

The most important of the generally rare intraductal tumors of the pancreas is the intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). In recent years this tumor type has been described in detail, and it was included in the WHO classification of 1996. IPMNs typically grow for a long time within the ducts, before approximately 50% of them eventually become invasive. Because of this feature the IPMNs are clearly distinct from ductal adenocarcinomas. Currently, IPMNs have advanced to the most commonly resected cystic tumor of the pancreas. Recent studies have shown that IPMNs may be distinguished into different types showing a different biology according to their mucin pattern.