Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) is a rare type of pancreatic tumor, accounting for only 0.2 to 2.7 percent of all pancreatic cancers. It mostly affects young women and typically grows slowly, although in some cases it can behave aggressively and spread. SPENs are often discovered by accident during scans for other health issues, but some people experience symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or weight loss.

Surgery is the main treatment for SPEN and offers the only potential cure. However, the type and complexity of surgery can vary based on the tumor’s size, location in the pancreas, and whether it has spread. Chemotherapy and radiation are not usually effective for this kind of tumor.

This research project is a large, international, retrospective study involving multiple hospitals across the Asia-Pacific region. It will analyze data from patients who underwent surgery for SPEN between 2007 and 2024. The study aims to better understand surgical outcomes and identify factors that affect long-term survival. Researchers will look at post-operative complications, tumor removal success, and how long patients live without the disease returning.

The ultimate goal is to gather more data to help improve the treatment and prognosis of SPEN patients in the future. Since this is a retrospective study using past patient records, there is no additional risk or treatment for participants. All data will be kept confidential and securely stored.