Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms (SPEN) of the pancreas are rare pancreatic tumors first described by Dr. Virginia Kneeland Frantz in 1959. These neoplasms were previously known by various names, including solid and cystic tumors of the pancreas, Frantz tumors, solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms, Hamoudi tumors, and papillary-cystic tumors. Though SPENs were considered benign for a significant amount of time, these tumors have now been reclassified as low-grade malignant tumors with low metastasis rates and high survival rates. They typically occur in young women, though these neoplasms can occasionally be seen in males and in pediatric and older populations. In adults, they occur more frequently in the body or tail of the pancreas, while in children, they are most often seen in the pancreatic head.
Patients are usually asymptomatic for prolonged periods, and by the time symptoms have developed, tumors have typically grown to considerably larger sizes. Less frequently, SPENs may invade adjacent structures or metastasize to distant organs. An accurate and prompt diagnosis is paramount in minimizing complication rates and improving patient outcomes.
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