Simultaneous intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct and pancreas treated with chemoradiotherapy

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: The new frontier of biliary pathology

Intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (IPNBs) represent a rare variant of biliary tumors characterized by a papillary growth within the bile duct lumen. Since their first description in 2001, several classifications have been proposed, mainly based on histopathological, radiological and clinical features, although no specific guidelines addressing their management have been developed. Bile duct neoplasms generally develop through a multistep process, involving different precursor pathways, ranging from the initial lesion, detectable only microscopically, i.e. biliary intraepithelial neoplasia, to the distinctive grades of IPNB until the final stage represented by invasive cholangiocarcinoma. Complex and advanced investigations, mainly relying on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cholangioscopy, are required to reach a correct diagnosis and to define an adequate bile duct mapping, which supports proper treatment. The recently introduced subclassifications of types 1 and 2 highlight the histopathological and clinical aspects of IPNB, as well as their natural evolution with a particular focus on prognosis and survival. Aggressive surgical resection, including hepatectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy or both, represents the treatment of choice, yielding optimal results in terms of survival, although several endoscopic approaches have been described. IPNBs are newly recognized preinvasive neoplasms of the bile duct with high malignant potential. The novel subclassification of types 1 and 2 defines the histological and clinical aspects, prognosis and survival. Diagnosis is mainly based on MRI and cholangioscopy. Surgical resection represents the mainstay of treatment, although endoscopic resection is currently applied to nonsurgically fit patients. New frontiers in genetic research have identified the processes underlying the carcinogenesis of IPNB, to identify targeted therapies.

Reoperation for heterochronic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas after bile duct neoplasm resection: A case report

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas have similar pathological manifestations. However, they often develop separately and it is rare for both to occur together. Patients presenting with heterochronic IPMN after IPNB are prone to be misdiagnosed with tumor recurrence.

CASE SUMMARY

A 67-year-old male patient was admitted 8.5 years after IPNB carcinoma and 4 years after the discovery of a pancreatic tumor. A left hepatic bile duct tumor with distal bile duct dilatation was found 8.5 years ago by the computed tomography; therefore, a left hepatectomy was performed. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was malignant IPNB with negative cutting edge and pathological stage T1N0M0. Magnetic resonance imaging 4 years ago showed cystic lesions in the pancreatic head with pancreatic duct dilatation, and carcinoembryonic antigen continued to increase. Positron emission tomography showed a maximum standard uptake value of 11.8 in the soft tissue mass in the pancreatic head, and a malignant tumor was considered. Radical pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis was pancreatic head IPMN with negative cutting edge, pancreaticobiliary type, stage T3N0M0. He was discharged 15 d after the operation. Follow-up for 6 mo showed no tumor recurrence, and quality of life was good.

CONCLUSION

IPNB and IPMN are precancerous lesions with similar pathological characteristics and require active surgery and long-term follow-up.

Multicentric recurrence of intraductal papillary neoplasm of bile duct after spontaneous detachment of primary tumor: A case report

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) rarely recurs in a multicentric manner. We encountered a patient with multiple recurrences of the gastric subtype of IPNB one year after spontaneous detachment of the primary tumor during peroral cholangioscopy (POCS).

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old woman on maintenance hemodialysis because of lupus nephritis had several cardiovascular diseases and a pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). She was referred to our department for dilation of the common bile duct (CBD) and a tumor in the lumen, detected using ultrasonography. She had no complaints, and blood tests of hepatobiliary enzymes were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed a papillary tumor in the CBD with a filling defect detected using endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Intraductal ultrasonography revealed a papillary tumor and stalk at the CBD. During POCS, the tumor spontaneously detached with its stalk into the CBD. Pathology showed low-intermediate nuclear atypia of the gastric subtype of IPNB. After 1 year, follow-up MRCP showed multiple tumors distributed from the left hepatic duct to the CBD. ERC and POCS showed multicentric tumors. She was alive without hepatobiliary symptoms at least two years after initial diagnosis of IPNB.

CONCLUSION

The patient experienced gastric subtype of IPNB without curative resection. Observation may be reasonable for patients with this subtype.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of biliary ducts: Literature review and a case report with emphasis on radiological manifestation

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the biliary tract (B-IPMN) is an intraductal growing mucin producing tumor that is precursor of cholangiocarcinoma. Dilation of both upstream and downstream biliary ducts is the radiological key feature that is respectively caused by intraductal obstructive growth and massive mucin production. Although B-IPMN is rare, if the radiologist is familiar with its manifestation, can lead to early diagnosis when surgical resection can be curative. Here, we report a long standing pathologically proved case of B-IPMN with emphasis on radiological manifestation during a long time of 13 years across different imaging modalities.

Mucin-producing bile duct tumor treated successfully with endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy

We report the case of an 82 year-old Japanese man with a history of multiple heart surgeries who presented with nausea and loss of appetite. Laboratory tests showed elevated liver and biliary enzymes. Imaging showed a possible space-occupying lesion within a dilated bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed an intact ampulla of Vater with a visible mucus-filled orifice presenting a fish-mouth appearance and fluoroscopy showed a possible tumor-causing mild stenosis of the bile duct. Cholangioscopy revealed papillary protrusions in the common bile duct. Pathological evaluation was inconclusive but negative for malignancy. Patient was presumptively diagnosed with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. Mucobilia caused repeated migration of metallic biliary stents, requiring numerous endoscopic interventions. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy was performed, as patient was no longer fit for surgery. All abdominal symptoms resolved and laboratory values normalized. Patient remained symptom-free during 12 months of follow-up.

Co-occurrence of IPMN and malignant IPNB complicated by a pancreatobiliary fistula: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is pathologically similar to intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). However, there are several significant differences between them. The rate of IPMN associated with extrapancreatic malignancies has been reported to range from 10%-40%, and it may occasionally be complicated with the presence of fistulas. IPMN associated with malignant IPNB is extremely rare and only nine cases have been reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 52-year-old man who presented with recurrent cholangitis for nine months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed the common bile duct stricture with dilated pancreatobiliary duct without other abnormal findings. The underlying pathogenesis could not be identified based on the radiologic images. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a pancreatobiliary fistula with dilated main pancreatic duct, biliary stricture with dilated biliary tree, and mucus discharge from the enlarged orifice of the major papilla. The patient underwent SpyGlass cholangiopancreatoscopy due to a suspected mucin-producing biliary neoplasm and indeterminate main pancreatic duct dilatation. Multiple papillary growing neoplasms with vascular images, with the extent of lesions spreading in the biliopancreatic ductal lumens, were identified by SpyGlass. In addition, the presence of a pancreatobiliary fistula was also identified. The patient was diagnosed as having benign IPMN and malignant IPNB with focal invasion by postoperative pathology. Furthermore, varying histological subtypes were present in both IPMN and IPNB. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed on the patient with excellent results during the 52 month follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

We deemed that pancreatography and SpyGlass allowed for an efficient diagnosis of IPMN with pancreatobiliary fistula, whereas the etiology could not be identified by radiologic imaging.

The European Study Group on Cystic Tumours of the Pancreas. European evidence-based guidelines on pancreatic cystic neoplasms

Evidence-based guidelines on the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are lacking. This guideline is a joint initiative of the European Study Group on Cystic Tumours of the Pancreas, United European Gastroenterology, European Pancreatic Club, European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, European Digestive Surgery, and the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. It replaces the 2013 European consensus statement guidelines on PCN. European and non-European experts performed systematic reviews and used GRADE methodology to answer relevant clinical questions on nine topics (biomarkers, radiology, endoscopy, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), serous cystic neoplasm, rare cysts, (neo)adjuvant treatment, and pathology). Recommendations include conservative management, relative and absolute indications for surgery. A conservative approach is recommended for asymptomatic MCN and IPMN measuring <40 mm without an enhancing nodule. Relative indications for surgery in IPMN include a main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter between 5 and 9.9 mm or a cyst diameter ≥40 mm. Absolute indications for surgery in IPMN, due to the high-risk of malignant transformation, include jaundice, an enhancing mural nodule >5 mm, and MPD diameter >10 mm. Lifelong follow-up of IPMN is recommended in patients who are fit for surgery. The European evidence-based guidelines on PCN aim to improve the diagnosis and management of PCN.

Synchronous pancreatic adenocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma arising in the context of intraductal papillary neoplasms

Field cancerization theory provides rationale for the development of multiple pancreatic ductal and biliary lesions in a single patient through the development and accumulation of multiple genetic changes. Genetic alterations result in the development of precursor lesions including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMN), intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPN-B), and their malignant counterparts, pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Although IPMN are frequently encountered, IPN-B are uncommon and the synchronous occurrence of both lesions is rare. We present a case of synchronous pancreatic adenocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with histopathologic evidence of underlying precursor lesions, IPMN-P and IPN-B.

"Biliary Diseases with Pancreatic Counterparts": Cross-sectional Imaging Findings

On the basis of the similarities in the histopathologic findings and the clinical-biologic behaviors of select biliary and pancreatic conditions, a new disease concept, "biliary diseases with pancreatic counterparts," has been proposed. Both nonneoplastic and neoplastic pathologic conditions of the biliary tract have their counterparts in the pancreas. Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related sclerosing cholangitis is the biliary manifestation of IgG4-related sclerosing disease, and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis is its pancreatic counterpart. People with chronic alcoholism can develop peribiliary cysts and fibrosis as well as pancreatic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis simultaneously. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm are considered pancreatic counterparts for the biliary neoplasms of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, intraductal papillary neoplasm of the biliary tract, and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm, respectively. The anatomic proximity of the biliary tract and the pancreas, the nearly simultaneous development of both organs from the endoderm of the foregut, and the presence of pancreatic exocrine acini within the peribiliary glands surrounding the extrahepatic bile ducts are suggested as causative factors for these similarities. Interestingly, these diseases show "nearly" identical findings at cross-sectional imaging, an observation that further supports this new disease concept. New information obtained with regard to biliary diseases can be used for evaluation of pancreatic abnormalities, and vice versa. In addition, combined genetic and molecular studies may be performed to develop novel therapeutic targets. For both biliary and pancreatic diseases, imaging plays a pivotal role in initial diagnosis, evaluation of treatment response, efficacy testing of novel drugs, and long-term surveillance.

Simultaneous Extensive Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct and Pancreas: A Very Rare Entity

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a specific type of bile duct tumor. It has been proposed that it could be the biliary counterpart of the intraductal papillary neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN-P). This hypothesis is supported by the presence of simultaneous intraductal tumors of both the bile duct and pancreas. There have been five reports of patients with simultaneous IPNB and IPMN-P. In all of these cases, biliary involvement was limited to the intrahepatic and perihilar bile duct, which had characteristics similar to IPMN-P and usually had slow progression in nature. Herein, we present the first case of extensive intraductal neoplasm involving the extrahepatic bile duct, intrahepatic bile duct, and entire length of the pancreas with a poor outcome, even after being treated aggressively with radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, we summarize previous case reports of simultaneous intraductal lesions of the bile duct and pancreas.

Simultaneous liver mucinous cystic and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the bile duct: A case report

Cystic hepatic neoplasms are rare tumors, and are classified into two separate entities: mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the bile duct (IPMN-B). We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice due to the presence of a large hepatic multilocular cystic tumor associated with an intraductal tumor. Partial hepatectomy with resection of extrahepatic bile ducts demonstrated an intrahepatic MCN and an intraductal IPMN-B. This is the first report of the simultaneous occurrence of these two histologically distinct entities in the liver.