Surgical treatment of pancreatic tumors in children

Summary. Pancreatic tumors in children are uncommon. The knowledge of their presentation accrues principally through institutional case series. The very limited experience, together with the broad histological heterogeneity, has made it difficult to identify possible prognostic factors and develop treatments protocol. The aim of the present paper was perfection treatment of pancreatic tumors in children. Retrospective review of medical records and pathology reports of children who underwent surgery at National Cancer Institute from 1990 through 2016. From mentioned period 17 patient in age younger then 18 underwent surgical treatment for pancreatic tumors. Radical (R0) surgical resection was achieved in 16 (94.2%) patients. In 11 (64.7%) cases distal pancreatic resection were performed accordingly to localization of the tumor in pancreatic body or tail. Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) was performed in 4 (23.5%) cases. Organ-preserving approach was used for 5 patients: enucleations for tumor of pancreatic tail in 1 (6.2%) case, spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy in 2 (12.5%) cases. There was no postoperative mortality, but postoperative complications occurred in 2 (12.5%) patients and was treated conservatively. The median of follow-up consist 114 months (range 16–292 months). No patients had postoperative pancreatic exocrine or endocrine insufficiencies. At the present day all patient are alive. Pancreatic tumors in children has more favorable outcomes in compare to adults. Surgical treatment is the prominent method for pancreatic tumors in children. Pancreatic resection for pancreatic tumors in children should performed in high-volume surgical center.