ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cysts

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 113; no. 4; p. 464
• Main Authors: Elta, Grace H, Enestvedt, Brintha K, Sauer, Bryan G, Lennon, Anne Marie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health Medical Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cystadenoma, Mucinous - diagnosis; Cystadenoma, Mucinous - therapy; Cysts; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Gastroenterology; Health surveillance; Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors - diagnosis; Neuroendocrine Tumors - therapy; Pancreatic Cyst - diagnosis; Pancreatic Cyst - pathology; Pancreatic Cyst - therapy; Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Pancreatic Intraductal Neoplasms - therapy; Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - therapy; Watchful Waiting
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2018.14

Pancreatic cysts are very common with the majority incidentally identified. There are several types of pancreatic cysts; some types can contain cancer or have malignant potential, whereas others are benign. However, even the types of cysts with malignant potential rarely progress to cancer. At the present time, the only viable treatment for pancreatic cysts is surgical excision, which is associated with a high morbidity and occasional mortality. The small risk of malignant transformation, the high risks of surgical treatment, and the lack of high-quality prospective studies have led to contradictory recommendations for their immediate management and for their surveillance. This guideline will provide a practical approach to pancreatic cyst management and recommendations for cyst surveillance for the general gastroenterologist.