Pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are benign lesions with little chance for malignant degeneration. We report a case of malignant serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas and review the literature.


METHODS
Structured review of the literature was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE searches, and cases of serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas were compiled.


RESULTS
A 70-year-old man diagnosed with a serous cystadenoma was managed expectantly until he became symptomatic, and studies revealed an increase in the size of the lesion as well as duodenal invasion. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, and histopathological examination revealed a locally invasive cystadenocarcinoma without metastatic disease. Seven years later, the patient remains disease-free. Review of the literature identified 25 cases of serous cystadenocarcinoma published to date. The mean age at diagnosis is 68 +/- 2 years (range, 52 to 81), and women are affected more commonly (2:1).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that there is a small but finite risk of malignancy for serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The clinician should bear this in mind when faced with decisions regarding patient management. Prognosis is excellent with multiple reports of long-term survival even in the face of metastatic disease.
King
Jonathan C
JC
Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Box 956904, 72-170 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6904, USA.
Ng
Tina T
TT
White
Stephen C
SC
Cortina
Galen
G
Reber
Howard A
HA
Hines
O Joe
OJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy