| Theme | Benign to Low-malignant Pancreatobiliary Lesionst | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Serous Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas | |
| Publish Date | 2011/05 | |
| Author | Toshiharu Ueki | Department of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author | Ken-ichiro Kawamoto | Department of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author | Ryohei Minoda | Department of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author | Yu-ichiro Otsuka | Department of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author | Toshiyuki Matsui | Department of Gastroenterology, Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka University |
| Author | Aiko Shimizu | Hattori Medical Clinic |
| [ Summary ] | Serous cystic neoplasms are uncommon. They account for only 1 to 2 percent of all exocrine pancreatic neoplasms, and for 4 to 10 percent of surgically resected cystic pancreatic lesions. Serous cystic neoplasms are most frequently found in women who are roughly 60 years of age. Half of these lesions are located in the body or tail of the pancreas. Crosssectional examination, reveals that most serous cystic neoplasms have a honeycomb-like appearance and are composed of numerous tiny cysts (usually<2 mm to 10 mm). The cysts are lined with a single layer of cuboidal or flattened epithelial cells with abundant quantities of intracytoplasmatic glycogen. Most serous cystic neoplasms are determined to be hypervascular with dynamic-CT scans and angiography, owing to the presence of a microvascular network under the epithelial cells. Because of the potential of malignancy in serous cystic neoplasms is so low, smaller asymptomatic tumors are often observed as well. Some 1 to 3 percent of serous cystic neoplasms are malignant. | |