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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment differs depending on the type of cyst and whether it causes symptoms. Sometimes, no treatment is necessary.
Watchful waiting
A benign pseudocyst — even a large one — can be left alone as long as it isn't bothering you.
Because a serous cystadenoma so rarely evolves into cancer, it also can be left alone unless it causes symptoms or enlarges. Your doctor may want to follow its size over time by checking repeat scans, especially if a precancerous cyst can't be ruled out.
Drainage
A pseudocyst that is causing bothersome symptoms or growing larger may be drained with a needle, often with the use of an endoscope, a small flexible tube that's passed through your mouth to your stomach and small intestine. The endoscope can be equipped with a needle to drain the cyst.
Surgery
An enlarged pseudocyst or serous cystadenoma that's causing pain or other symptoms can be surgically removed. However, a pseudocyst that is removed may recur if you have ongoing pancreatitis.
Treatment for most other types of lesions in the pancreas is generally surgical removal, because of the risk of cancer. Surgery is very effective, with little chance of recurrence.
- 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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