Table 2:
Types of Pancreatic Cysts
Type
Demographic
Malignant Potential
Location In
Pancreas
Radiographic Features
Cyst Fluid
Analysis
Pseudocyst
History of pancreatitis
No
Throughout
Unilocular
Thick-walled
Elevated
amylase
Serous cystadenoma
Middle-aged woman
No
Throughout
Multicystic Calcifications Central scar
Elevated Ca19-9
Mucinous cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma
Middle-aged woman
Yes
Body and tail
One or few cysts Thick or
irregular walls

Positive mucin stain
Elevated CEA
Positive cytology

Intrapapillary mucinous neoplasia
Middle-aged and older men
Yes
Diffuse or localized
Pancreatic duct dilation
Papillary projections
Papillary cystic neoplasm
Rare
Young women
Yes
Locally aggressive
Body and tail
 
Copyright 2005 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Return to Pancreatic Neoplasms Chapter