Management of cystic tumours of the pancreas

Background:  Cystic tumours of the pancreas account for 5% of pancreatic neoplasms and are frequently misdiagnosed as pancreatic pseudocysts. The authors’ experience of managing these tumours is presented here, highlighting the clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties and operative treatment. Methods:  This is a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed to have cystic tumours of the pancreas treated at The Mater Hospital, during a 5‐year period from 1997 to 2002. Literature was reviewed and guidelines for the management of these tumours have been outlined. Results:  Seven patients with cystic pancreatic tumours were treated over this time‐period. All patients were women with a median age of 40. Two of these patients were initially diagnosed as having pseudocysts and were treated elsewhere by cystgastrostomy. The tumour was resected in all patients. All but one was benign. At follow up, ranging from 13 to 66 months, all patients were alive and well. Conclusions:  Cystic tumours of the pancreas are uncommon and generally slow growing. It is important not to assume that a cystic lesion in the pancreas, especially in middle‐aged women, is a pseudocyst. Satisfactory surgical resection may be possible even after previous operative procedures on the pancreas. Prognosis after resection remains good.