Successful long-term results with resection of pancreatic carcinoma in children: favorable prognosis for an uncommon neoplasm.

Carcinoma of the pancreas is increasing in incidence and affecting a younger population. However, pancreatic carcinoma in children under 15 years of age is a rarity. Only 28 cases were reported in the literature from 1885 to 1981. All of the known patients who have undergone resection of the tumor are alive at the present time. The differential diagnosis of abdominal masses has been further elucidated by abdominal tomography. Pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatic resections may be fitted to the individual case with reasonable expectations of patient survival.