Long-Term Outcome of Cystic Lesions in the Pancreas: A Retrospective Cohort Study

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 493 - 500
• Main Authors: Ahn, Dong-Won, Lee, Sang Hyub, Kim, Jaihwan, Yoon, Won Jae, Hwang, Jin-Hyeok, Jang, Jin-Young, Ryu, Ji Kon, Kim, Yong-Tae, Kim, Sun-Whe, Yoon, Yong Bum
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Gastroenterology; the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver; the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility; Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases; Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research; Korean Pancreatobiliary Association; Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer 01.10.2012; Gastroenterology Council for Gut and Liver; 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회
• Subjects: natural history; Original; pancreatic cyst; prognosis; 내과학; Pancreatic cyst; Natural history; Prognosis
• ISSN: 1976-2283; 2005-1212; 2005-1212
• DOI: 10.5009/gnl.2012.6.4.493

The management guidelines for cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLPs) are not yet well established. This study was performed to document the long-term clinical outcome of CLPs and provide guidelines for the management and surveillance of CLPs. In this retrospective cohort study, an additional follow-up was performed in 112 patients with CLPs enrolled from 1998 to 2004 during a previous study. During follow-up for the median period of 72.3 months, the size of the CLPs increased in 18 patients (16.1%). Six of these patients experienced growth of their CLPs after 5 years of follow-up. Twenty-six patients underwent surgery during follow-up, and four malignant cysts were detected. The overall rate of malignant progression during follow-up was 3.6%. The presence of mural nodules or solid components was independently associated with the presence of malignant CLPs. Seven patients underwent surgery after 5 years of follow-up. The pathologic findings revealed malignancies in two patients. There was only one pancreas-related death during follow-up. The majority of CLPs exhibit indolent behavior and are associated with a favorable prognosis. However, long-term surveillance for more than 5 years should be performed because of the potential for growth and malignant transformation in CLPs.