Evaluation of Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas Based on Clinicopathologic Para- Meters

Although cystic lesions of the pancreas are considered relatively rare, improved diagnostics have resulted in higher reported incidence. Cystic neoplasms comprise approximately 10% to 15% of primary cystic masses of the pancreas, and 1% to 15% of all pancreatic neoplasms. While non-neoplastic cystic lesions predominantly affect men with a wide age range, the vast majority of neoplastic cysts occur in middle-aged and elderly women. Patients with malignant tumors are 5 to 10 years older than the patients with benign ones. Clinical presentation of cystic neoplasms depends particularly on the size of the tumor. Small cysts are usually non-symptomatic, and emerge as an incidental finding at physical examination and in radiological imaging studies. Larger ones produce symptoms related to local mass effect such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Published series of cystic lesions of the pancreas have aided the diagnosis and management of these relatively rare entities. It is essential to be able to discriminate pseudocysts and rare non-neoplastic cystic lesions from cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. It is also vital to be able to diagnose pancreatic cysts that feature high-grade dysplasia and malignant foci, particularly those within mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). The objectives of this study were to identify demographic and histopathologic features of panActa Medica Mediterranea, 2015, 31: 383