Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas associated with ductal carcinoma as two distinct clinical entities

Aim. To analyze current perspectives on the concept of malignant progression in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas and to outline the most prospective research trends in this area. Materials and Methods. A literature review and an analysis of data from the cancer registry of Moscow were conducted. Results. The paper summarizes key molecular genetic studies from recent decades. Using surgical specimen data coded according to ICD-O in Moscow for the years 2023–2024, the main challenges in the histopathological diagnosis of IPMN with associated invasive carcinoma are discussed. Conclusion. Genomic alterations in IPMNs of the pancreas, as background lesions for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, reflect their genetic heterogeneity and carry significant clinical implications for understanding the polyclonal theory of carcinogenesis, as well as for identifying novel therapeutic targets and approaches. The invasive component associated with IPMN is frequently genetically independent based on its molecular profile.