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Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology &... Nov 2019Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are a heterogeneous group of pancreatic cysts that include intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, serous... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are a heterogeneous group of pancreatic cysts that include intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, serous cystic neoplasms and other rare cystic lesions, all with different biological behaviours and variable risk of progression to malignancy. As more pancreatic cysts are incidentally discovered on routine cross-sectional imaging, optimal surveillance for patients with PCN is becoming an increasingly common clinical problem, highlighting the need to balance cancer prevention with the risk of (surgical) overtreatment. This Review summarizes the latest developments in the diagnosis and management of PCN, including the quality of available evidence. Also discussed are the most important differences between the PCN guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association, the International Association of Pancreatology and the European Study Group on Cystic Tumours of the Pancreas, including diagnostic and follow-up strategies and indications for surgery. Finally, new developments in the management of patients with PCN are addressed.
Topics: Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 31527862
DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0195-x -
The Lancet. Gastroenterology &... Jul 2020Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is most frequently detected at an advanced stage. Such late detection restricts treatment options and contributes to a dismal 5-year... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is most frequently detected at an advanced stage. Such late detection restricts treatment options and contributes to a dismal 5-year survival rate of 3-15%. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is relatively uncommon and screening of the asymptomatic adult population is not feasible or recommended with current modalities. However, screening of individuals in high-risk groups is recommended. Here, we review groups at high risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, including individuals with inherited predisposition and patients with pancreatic cystic lesions. We discuss studies aimed at finding ways of identifying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in high-risk groups, such as among individuals with new-onset diabetes mellitus and people attending primary and secondary care practices with symptoms that suggest this cancer. We review early detection biomarkers, explore the potential of using social media for detection, appraise prediction models developed using electronic health records and research data, and examine the application of artificial intelligence to medical imaging for the purposes of early detection.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Artificial Intelligence; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Deep Learning; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diagnostic Imaging; Early Detection of Cancer; Electronic Health Records; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Social Media
PubMed: 32135127
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30416-9 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Sep 2021Incidental pancreatic cysts are commonly encountered with some cysts having malignant potential. The most common pancreatic cystic neoplasms include serous cystadenoma,... (Review)
Review
Incidental pancreatic cysts are commonly encountered with some cysts having malignant potential. The most common pancreatic cystic neoplasms include serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystic neoplasm and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Risk stratifying pancreatic cysts is important in deciding whether patients may benefit from endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or surgical resection. Surgery should be reserved for patients with malignant cysts or cysts at high risk for developing malignancy as suggested by various risk features including solid mass, nodule and dilated main pancreatic duct. EUS may supplement magnetic resonance imaging findings for cysts that remain indeterminate or have concerning features on imaging. Various cyst fluid markers including carcinoembryonic antigen, glucose, amylase, cytology, and DNA markers help distinguish mucinous from nonmucinous cysts. This review will guide the practicing gastroenterologist in how to evaluate incidental pancreatic cysts and when to consider referral for EUS or surgery. For presumed low risk cysts, surveillance strategies will be discussed. Managing pancreatic cysts requires an individualized approach that is directed by the various guidelines.
Topics: Cyst Fluid; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Endosonography; Humans; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 34629795
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i34.5700 -
Digestive Surgery 2020The prevalence of undefined pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) is high in the general population, increasing with patient age. PCNs account for different biological... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of undefined pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) is high in the general population, increasing with patient age. PCNs account for different biological entities with different potential for malignant transformation. The clinician must balance his or her practice between the risk of surgical overtreatment and the error of keeping a malignant lesion under surveillance.
METHODS
We review and discuss the clinical management of PCNs. Specifically, we analyze the main features of PCNs from the surgeon's point of view, as they present in the outpatient clinic. We also review the different consensus guidelines, address recent controversies in the literature, and present the current clinical practice at 4 different European Centers for pancreatic surgery.
RESULTS
The main features of PCNs were analyzed from the surgeon's point of view as they present in the outpatient clinic. All aspects of surgical management were discussed, from indications for surgery to intraoperative management and surveillance strategies.
CONCLUSIONS
Management of PCNs requires a selective approach with the aim of minimizing clinically relevant diagnostic mistakes. Through the evaluation of clinical and radiological features of a PCN, the surgeon can elaborate on a diagnostic hypothesis and assess malignancy risk, but the final decision should be tailored to the individual patient's need.
Topics: Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Precancerous Conditions
PubMed: 30636253
DOI: 10.1159/000496509 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Pancreatic cystic lesions are increasingly detected in cross-sectional imaging. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a mucin-producing subtype of the... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cystic lesions are increasingly detected in cross-sectional imaging. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a mucin-producing subtype of the pancreatic cyst lesions arising from the pancreatic duct system. IPMN is a potential precursor of pancreatic cancer. The transformation of IPMN in pancreatic cancer is progressive and requires the occurrence of low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and ultimately invasive cancer. Jaundice, enhancing mural nodule >5 mm, main pancreatic duct diameter >10 mm, and positive cytology for high-grade dysplasia are considered high-risk stigmata of malignancy. While increased levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) (>37 U/mL), main pancreatic duct diameter 5-9.9 mm, cyst diameter >40 mm, enhancing mural nodules <5 mm, IPMN-induced acute pancreatitis, new onset of diabetes, cyst grow-rate >5 mm/year are considered worrisome features of malignancy. However, cross-sectional imaging is often inadequate in the prediction of high-grade dysplasia and invasive cancer. Several studies evaluated the role of humoral and intra-cystic biomarkers in the prediction of malignancy in IPMN. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, intra-cystic CEA, intra-cystic glucose, and cystic fluid cytology are widely used in clinical practice to distinguish between mucinous and non-mucinous cysts and to predict the presence of invasive cancer. Other biomarkers such as cystic fluid DNA sequencing, microRNA (mi-RNA), circulating microvesicles, and liquid biopsy are the new options for the mini-invasive diagnosis of degenerated IPMN. The aim of this study is to review the literature to assess the role of humoral and intracystic biomarkers in the prediction of advanced IPMN with high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Cyst Fluid; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Prognosis
PubMed: 34884643
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312839 -
JAMA Surgery Aug 2022The identification of incidental pancreas cystic lesions (PCLs) has increased in recent decades with the expanded use and improved sensitivity of cross-sectional... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
The identification of incidental pancreas cystic lesions (PCLs) has increased in recent decades with the expanded use and improved sensitivity of cross-sectional imaging. Because the overall risk of malignancy associated with PCLs is low, yet the relative morbidity of pancreatic surgery is high, evidence-based guidelines are necessary for appropriate surveillance and management. Therefore, this article provides a review of existing guidelines regarding surveillance and management of PCLs and highlights recent advances in the diagnostic evaluation of cysts and the postresection management of mucinous lesions.
OBSERVATIONS
There are 5 main guidelines related to the management of PCLs: the American Gastrointestinal Association (AGA) guidelines, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines, the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommendations, the European evidence-based guidelines, and the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP)/Fukuoka guidelines. These guidelines are based on retrospective studies that do not account or control for most tumor- and patient-specific factors. These guidelines also vary in scope, recommendations for surgical resection vs surveillance, as well as duration and type of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
PCL guidelines should be viewed within the context of the data limitations on which they are based. PCL subtype-specific guidelines on surveillance and treatment are needed. In the future, the integration of cyst-specific genomic analysis, as well as evolutions in advanced diagnostic tools, such as cyst fluid next-generation sequencing and EUS-guided confocal laser endomicroscopy, may also better inform treatment guidelines. Owing to the current low-quality evidence on which many guidelines are based and the inherent morbidity of pancreas surgery, it is imperative that patients with PCLs are referred to institutions with advanced diagnostics and a multidisciplinary approach to patient surveillance and management.
Topics: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35731507
DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2022.2232 -
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of... Jul 2023This article reviews the types of pancreatic cysts encountered in Radiologic practice. It summarizes the malignancy risk of each of the following: serous cystadenoma,... (Review)
Review
This article reviews the types of pancreatic cysts encountered in Radiologic practice. It summarizes the malignancy risk of each of the following: serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystic tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm main duct and side branch, and some miscellaneous cysts such as neuroendocrine tumor and solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm. Specific reporting recommendations are given. The choice between radiology follow-up versus endoscopic analysis is discussed.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous; Radiography; Radiology
PubMed: 37245933
DOI: 10.1016/j.giec.2023.03.008 -
Gastroenterology Clinics of North... Sep 2022Early detection of high-risk pancreatic cystic lesions enables potentially curative surgical resection, and early detection of lesions without worrisome features may... (Review)
Review
Early detection of high-risk pancreatic cystic lesions enables potentially curative surgical resection, and early detection of lesions without worrisome features may lead to appropriate surveillance. Regrettably, differentiating premalignant and malignant cysts from nonmalignant ones remains challenging. However, emerging additional diagnostic tools, including the needle biopsy with microforceps and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, are of exciting potential along with cyst fluid analysis".
Topics: Cyst Fluid; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 36153109
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2022.06.008 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Feb 2022Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are becoming more prevalent due to more frequent abdominal imaging and the increasing age of the general population. It has become... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are becoming more prevalent due to more frequent abdominal imaging and the increasing age of the general population. It has become crucial to identify these PCLs and subsequently risk stratify them to guide management. Given the high morbidity associated with pancreatic surgery, only those PCLs at high risk for malignancy should undergo such treatment. However, current diagnostic testing is suboptimal at accurately diagnosing and risk stratifying PCLs. Therefore, research has focused on developing new techniques for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous PCLs and identifying high risk lesions for malignancy. Cross sectional imaging radiomics can potentially improve the predictive accuracy of primary risk stratification of PCLs at the time of detection to guide invasive testing. While cyst fluid glucose has reemerged as a potential biomarker, cyst fluid molecular markers have improved accuracy for identifying specific types of PCLs. Endoscopic ultrasound guided approaches such as confocal laser endomicroscopy and through the needle microforceps biopsy have shown a good correlation with histopathological findings and are evolving techniques for identifying and risk stratifying PCLs. While most of these recent diagnostics are only practiced at selective tertiary care centers, they hold a promise that management of PCLs will only get better in the future.
Topics: Cyst Fluid; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Humans; Pancreas; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 35317424
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i6.624 -
Clinical Gastroenterology and... Aug 2022Pancreatic cysts (PC) are an increasingly common problem facing general gastroenterologists and generalists. They can be divided into 3 groups. First, those that have no...
Pancreatic cysts (PC) are an increasingly common problem facing general gastroenterologists and generalists. They can be divided into 3 groups. First, those that have no risk of developing into pancreatic cancer, such as a pseudocyst or serous cystadenomas (SCAs). Second, mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), which are precursor lesions to high-grade dysplasia and pancreatic cancer. Third, solid cancers of the pancreas, such as neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic adenocarcinomas, which have undergone cystic degeneration.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 35397230
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.03.002