New light on the pancreatic cyst conundrum

Pancreatic cysts present a clinically challenging conundrum of great concern. First, as a result of the common availability of high resolution imaging technology, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cysts are being increasingly identified as unsuspected-incidental findings during abdominal evaluations for other unrelated reasons, such as auto accidents, abdominal pain, liver, spleen, gall bladder, kidney and pelvic disorders. Importantly, once identified, they are the cause of considerable consternation, for patients and physicians alike, since they may be early precursors of developing pancreatic cancer and these cysts may represent early premalignant disease, at a stage, where appropriate intervention may avert the devastating consequences of advanced pancreatic cancer with its dismal 5-year survival of less than 8% (1)