[Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. Diagnostic and therapeutic management]

Abstract

Management of the cystic lesions of the pancreas is of interest to general and pancreatic surgeons and physicians of other disciplines: gastroenterology, internal medicine, endoscopy, radiology, pathology, etc. The majority of cystic lesions are inflammatory pseudo-cysts. Cystic neoplasms represents only 10% of cystic lesions of the pancreas and 1% of pancreatic tumours. Preoperative diagnosis is crucial given the differences in natural history of the spectrum of benign, malignant, and borderline lesions. Serous cystadenoma is a benign lesion that requires non-surgical management if there are no symptoms. Mucinous neoplasms are premalignant lesions that mainly require pancreatic resection. Despite improved radiographic imaging techniques, definitive diagnosis is only made after studying the resection sample. The pancreatic surgical risk is a problem for the appropriate management of these patients.