Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas: report of a case and management reflections

• Published in: World journal of surgical oncology Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 51
• Main Authors: Bramis, K, Petrou, A, Papalambros, A, Manzelli, A, Mantonakis, E, Brennan, N, Felekouras, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 08.03.2012; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Care and treatment; Case Report; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - pathology; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - secondary; cystic tumors of the pancreas; Diagnosis; Disease Management; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Neoplasm Invasiveness - pathology; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Patient outcomes; serous cystadenocarcinoma; serous cystadenoma
• ISSN: 1477-7819; 1477-7819
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-10-51

Serous adenomas represent 1-2% of pancreatic neoplasms and typically are asymptomatic not requiring any treatment and simple observation is the option of choice. Although, they carry a realistic risk of malignancy despite the general view that they never become malignant. We report a case, which, according to our best knowledge is the 27th case reported in the literature. We reviewed the literature by performing a search in Pub Med and Medline. A 86-year old patient known to have a serous cystadenoma of the pancreas treated conservatively through a close clinical and radiological follow up which was unattended for 4 years ending up to our emergency department suffering an acute abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a perforated prepyloric ulcer which was treated accordingly. Patient died some weeks later due to severe medical co morbidities. Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas carry a realistic risk of malignancy despite the general view that they never become malignant. In our opinion the treatment strategy of serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas should be aggressive even in cases of remote metastases since prognosis of the disease is satisfactory.