Mucinous Cystadenoma of the Pancreas – A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: This study intends to describe our center’s experience in the management of Pancreatic Mucinous Cystadenomas. These are rare cystic tumors of the pancreas, usually seen in peri-menopausal women, typically located in the pancreas’ body or tail. They carry low, yet not despicable, malignant potential, hence the importance in further characterizing its biological behavior. Method: We performed retrospective revision and descriptive analysis of all surgically treated Pancreatic Mucinous Cystadenomas between January 1996 and December 2020 in our tertiary hospital. Results: We present a case series of 15 patients with a median age of 51 years, 13 of which were women. The majority (86,7%) presented a lesion involving either the pancreatic body or tail. All were surgically treated, and laparoscopic approach was used in 40,0% of cases, with an associated conversion rate to open procedure of 50,0%. The surgery related morbidity rate was 26,7% and no mortality cases are to be reported. Areas of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma were identified in one patient’s specimen histopathological analysis (6,7%). Conclusion: Current recommendations advise towards surgical resection of pancreatic mucinous cystadenomas in all surgically fit patients at the time of diagnosis. In non-invasive cysts, resection is routinely curative. Although some low-risk predictor factors have been suggested, these cyst’s natural history remains unclear and the prevalence of invasive carcinoma is described as up to 15%, reinforcing the need for a better understanding on malignancy related factors.