Cystic neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas

Histopathology. 2008 Apr;52(5):539-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2007.02856.x. Epub 2007 Sep 28.

Abstract

The increasing use of radiological imaging has led to greater detection of small and asymptomatic cystic lesions of the pancreas. Most are resectable, but not all are neoplastic. This review provides an update on the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, pathogenesis and management of cystic neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas. These include the serous, the mucinous cystic, the intraductal papillary mucinous and the solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. Recently reported variants are described and very rare cystic variants of other pancreatic epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms are briefly mentioned.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / chemistry
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / chemistry
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / pathology
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / chemistry
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / pathology
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / chemistry
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / pathology
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / chemistry
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Ducts / chemistry
  • Pancreatic Ducts / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Precancerous Conditions / chemistry
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor