title: Management of the rare entity of primary pancreatic cystic neoplasms.
abstract: Primary cystic neoplasms of the pancreas constitute a rare entity and are composed of a variety of neoplasms with a wide range of malignant potential. Approximately 90% of these lesions are serous cystic neoplasms or mucin-producing neoplasms. In contrast to serous cystadenomas which are nearly always benign, the mucinous cystic neoplasms represent a more diverse, heterogeneous spectrum of related neoplasms. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms manifest a much greater latent or overt malignant potential than other cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The various subgroups of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are evaluated and compared through a review of current literature. No symptoms or signs are pathognomonic for the cystic pancreatic neoplasms. While identification of a cystic tumor is relatively easy, the identification of the specific tumor type may be difficult. Most investigators agree that accurate differentiation of benign from malignant neoplasms can be made only at histopathologic examination of the entire resected segment of the pancreas. Because of the low mortality and low postoperative morbidity, surgical resection is indicated in all patients with cystic tumors.
authors.affiliation: 4th Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece. stamatakosmih@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stamatakos
authors.forename: Constantina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sargedi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angelousi
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kontzoglou
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Safioleas
authors.forename: Constantina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petropoulou
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safioleas
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018297:Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000473:pathology; D018579:Patient Selection; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome