title: Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: an analysis of 117 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas is an unusual and benign cystic tumor. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is difficult; hence, most of pancreatic LECs are resected. The aim was to describe clinicopathological features of pancreatic LEC to guide appropriate management.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively collected data about LEC patients treated in our department between 1987 and 2012 and added cases from review of the literature during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seventeen cases (3 from our institution and 114 from literature review) were identified. Most patients were men (78%). The discovery was generally fortuitous. Serum CA19-9 was elevated in half of the cases. No specific radiological feature was identified. Fine needle aspiration and cytologic analysis allowed a correct preoperative diagnosis in 21% of the patients, showing presence of squamous cells, lymphocytes, and keratinous debris. Half of them were treated conservatively, whereas other patients underwent surgery. Neither malignant transformation nor recurrence after resection was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LEC of the pancreas is a rare benign tumor that could be treated conservatively. Fine needle aspiration is the only tool that can achieve a diagnosis without resection. If no certain diagnosis can be made, surgery is warranted to rule out a malignant differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: From the *Aix-Marseille Université; †Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (APHM), Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Hôpital La Conception; and ‡APHM, Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital La Timone, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mege
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grégoire
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Del Grande
authors.forename: Yves Patrice
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Le Treut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen