Pancreatic Cysts: Sinister Findings or Incidentalomas?

Olaya I Brewer Gutierrez; Anne Marie Lennon

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.004

Pancreatic Cysts: Sinister Findings or Incidentalomas?

Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;103(1):163-172. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.004.

Authors

Olaya I Brewer Gutierrez¹, Anne Marie Lennon²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Building, 1800 Orleans Street, Suite M2058, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
² Medicine, Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1800 Orleans Street, Room 7125J, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Surgery, Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1800 Orleans Street, Room 7125J, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Oncology, Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1800 Orleans Street, Room 7125J, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Radiology, Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1800 Orleans Street, Room 7125J, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. Electronic address: amlennon@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 30466673
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.004

Abstract

Pancreatic cysts are common and are incidentally detected in up to 13.5% of individuals. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) are precursors to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Most will never develop into pancreatic cancer. Several types of pancreatic cysts have no malignant potential. Solid tumors can present as a pancreatic cysts. Guidelines recommend surveillance. Management includes differentiating IPMNs and MCNs from other types, identifying those at highest risk of harboring pancreatic cancer or high-grade dysplasia, and referral to a multidisciplinary group for evaluation and consideration of surgical resection.

Keywords: IPMN; MCN; Mucin producing cyst; Mucinous cystic neoplasm; Pancreatic cystic neoplasm; Pancreatic cysts.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Disease Management
Female
Humans
Incidental Findings
Male
Pancreas / pathology*
Pancreatic Cyst / diagnosis*
Pancreatic Cyst / pathology
Pancreatic Cyst / surgery
Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*