Objective To analyze characteristics of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of pancreas and to discuss it’s diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinicopathologic data of 39 patients with pathologically diagnosed as SPN from January 2012 to July 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital to Xinjiang Medical University were collected, the clinical characteristics, imaging features, diagnosis and treatment methods, and prognosis were analyzed. Results Among the 39 patients, there were 27 benign SPNs and 12 malignant SPNs. There were no significant differences in the gender, age, blood type, clinical manifestations, distribution of tumor sites, morphological features, and proportions of combined calcification, intracapsular hemorrhage, and pancreatic ductal dilatation between the benign and malignant SPN patients (P>0.050). The maximum diameter of the tumor, the integrity of the capsule, and the ratio of the tumor cystic solidity had significant differences (P<0.050) between the benign and malignant SPN patients. That was, in patients with benign SPN, the largest tumor diameter was less than or equal to 5 cm, and the capsule was complete, and the tumor was mainly cystic and solid. Of the 27 patients with benign SPN, 6 underwent the tumor enucleation, 7 underwent the standard pancreatoduodenectomy, 2 underwent the middle pancreas resection, 5 underwent the standard caudal pancreatectomy, and 7 underwent the spleen-preserving caudal pancreatectomy. Of the 12 patients with malignant SPN, 8 underwent the standard pancreatoduodenectomy and 4 underwent the standard caudal pancreatectomy. All the patients were discharged after surgery and no intra-abdominal infection occurred. The pancreatic leakage occurred in 4 patients and recoved after the full drainage. The average follow-up was 24.5 months, no patient had the tumor metastasis or recurrence, and no patient died. Conclusions Incomplete capsule and the largest diameter >5 cm may suggest malignancy of SPN, and near-solid tumors may be indicative of benignancy. Surgery is a crucial and most effective treatment for SPN, and it is suggested that routine radical operation is performed for malignant SPN.