Pancreatic serous cystadenoma is a benign

tumour A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...

of the pancreas. It is usually found in the tail of the pancreas, and may be associated with

von Hippel–Lindau syndrome The term ''von'' () is used in German language surnames either as a nobiliary particle indicating a noble patrilineality, or as a simple preposition used by commoners that means ''of'' or ''from''. Nobility directories like the ''Almanach de Go ...

. In contrast to some of the other cyst-forming tumors of the pancreas (such as the

intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of tumor that can occur within the cells of the pancreatic duct. IPMN tumors produce mucus, and this mucus can form pancreatic cysts. Although intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are b ...

and the

pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma Pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma, also known as "mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas", is a benign tumour of pancreas. It is one of the cystic lesions of the pancreas. Pathology Microscopy File:Mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas 5.jpg, Mu ...

), serous cystic neoplasms are almost always entirely benign. There are some exceptions; rare case reports have described isolated malignant serous cystadenocarcinomas. In addition, serous cystic neoplasms slowly grow, and if they grow large enough they can press on adjacent organs and cause symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

In most cases, serous cystadenomas of the pancreas are asymptomatic. However, large cysts may cause symptoms related to their size.

Classification

Pathologist Pathology is the study of the causal, causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when us ...

s classify serous cystic neoplasms into two broad groups. Those that are benign, that have not spread to other organs, are designated "serous cystadenoma". Serous cystadenomas can be further sub-typed into microcystic, oligocystic (or macrocystic), solid, mixed serous-endocrine neoplasm, and VHL-associated serous cystic neoplasm. This latter classification scheme is useful because it highlights the range of appearances and the clinical associations of these neoplasms. Serous cystic neoplasms that have spread ("metastasized") to another organ are considered malignant and are designated "serous cystadenocarcinoma".

Pathology

File:Serous cystadenoma of the pancreatic head..jpg File:Pancreatic serous cystadenoma - intermed mag.jpg File:Pancreatic serous cystadenoma - high mag.jpg File:Pancreatic serous cystadenoma - very high mag.jpg File:Pancreatic serous cystadenoma (1).jpg File:Pancreatic serous cystic tumor (3).jpg

Treatment

These lesions rarely require

surgery Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...

unless they are symptomatic or the diagnosis is in question. Since these lesions do not have malignant potential, long-term observation with imaging surveillance is unnecessary. Surgery can include the removal of the head of the pancreas (a pancreaticoduodenectomy), removal of the body and tail of the pancreas (a distal pancreatectomy), or rarely removal of the entire pancreas (a total pancreatectomy). In selected cases the surgery can be performed using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy.

Epidemiology

Relative incidence of pancreatic neoplasms

Serous cystadenomas of the pancreas are more common in women. SCAs are usually diagnosed in people 50–60 years of age.

References

External links

{{Digestive system neoplasia Digestive system neoplasia Pancreas disorders