title: Giant epidermoid cyst of the spleen with carbohydrate and cancer antigen production managed laparoscopically.
abstract: True cysts of the spleen are rare; in a few cases, high serum levels of carbohydrate and cancer antigen have been reported. In such instances, cyst resection or splenectomy is indicated to rule out malignant lesions and to remove the cancer antigen producing epithelium. We report the case of a young woman with a symptomatic giant epidermoid cyst of the spleen. Due to the secreting epithelium lining the cyst, serum levels of CA 19-9 and CA 125 were elevated. Laparoscopic splenectomy achieved symptoms relief and and long-term normalization of serum tumor markers.
authors.affiliation: The University of Pisa Medical School, Department of Surgery, Pisa, Italy. m.chiarugi@dc.med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiarugi
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galatioto
authors.forename: Alda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battini
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panicucci
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lippolis
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seccia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000276:immunology*; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate