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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pancreatic cysts are abnormal, sac-like pockets of fluid on or within your pancreas. Though it may be alarming to learn you have a pancreatic cyst, the good news is that most pancreatic cysts aren't cancerous — and many don't even cause symptoms.
In fact, many pancreatic cysts aren't technically cysts at all. Called pseudocysts, these noncancerous (benign) pockets of fluids aren't lined with the type of cells found in true cysts but, instead, with inflammatory or scar tissue.
But because some pancreatic cysts can be cancerous, your doctor may want to take a sample of the pancreatic cyst fluid to determine whether cancer cells are present. If your cyst is or can become cancerous, treatment involves surgical removal.
- Scheiman JM. Management of cystic lesions of the pancreas. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2008;12:405.
- Pitman MB, et al. Pancreatic cysts: Preoperative diagnosis and clinical management. Cancer Cytopathology. 2010;118:1.
- Steer ML. Cystic lesions of the pancreas. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Pancreatic cysts. National Pancreas Foundation. http://pancreasfoundation.org/2010/04/pancreatic-cysts/. Accessed May 16, 2010.
- Garcea G, et al. Cystic lesions of the pancreas: A diagnostic and management dilemma. Pancreatology. 2008;8:236.
- Habashi S, et al. Pancreatic pseudocyst. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;15:38.
- Khalid A, et al. ACG practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of neoplastic pancreatic cysts. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;102:2339.
- Jacobson BC, et al. ASGE guideline: The role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and the management of cystic lesions and inflammatory fluid collections of the pancreas. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2005;61:363.
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