Corpo-caudal pancreatectomy with splenic preservation in the treatment of a solid pseudopapillary tumor (Frantz tumor)

Aims: To present a case of solid pseudopapillary tumor (Frantz tumor), an infrequent pancreatic neoplasm, which has been increasingly diagnosed and reported in the literature. Case Description: A 18-year old woman presented with pain and tenderness in the left upper abdominal quadrant. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan revealed a solid and cystic lesion in the body of the pancreas. The patient underwent a corpo-caudal pancreatectomy with splenic preservation. Pathologic analysis of the specimen revealed a solid pseudopapillary tumor. Postoperative course was uneventful with complete resolution of the symptoms, and the patient is completely asymptomatic six months after the operation. Conclusions: Pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumor is a rare neoplasm that predominantly occurs in young women, and is generally considered a low-grade malignant tumor. Its clinical presentation is nonspecific abdominal symptoms, and the diagnosis is performed by image tests. Complete surgical resection of primary tumor is the treatment of choice.