Question about Pancreatic Neoplasm...?

Question

If one has a CT Scan and there is suspicion of either pancreatic neoplasm or cystic neoplasm with all other abdomen and chest CT normal with no growth, and the mass in question is of low-density, is there a possibility this could be benign? Or perhaps simply a cyst?

I am looking for people to be sensitive to my questions, not rude or disrespectful. This is something I'm concerned about, and the follow up is not for a few weeks.

Answer 1

Cheryl,

There is a glimmer of positive hope, especially since all other abdominal and chest CT scans are negative.  Pancreatic cancer commonly spreads a lot before discovery.  Here there is no evidence of any spread.

There are several benign cystic tumors of the pancreas.

Cystic tumors of the pancreas derive their name from the presence of fluid in the tumor. The fluid is produced by the lining of the tumor that is abnormal and may give rise to a cancer in some patients. Cystic tumors of the pancreas are uncommon, and constitute about 2% of all pancreatic tumors. Appropriate diagnosis of these tumors is important since surgical removal of the tumor is associated with a high cure rate.

An important consideration is the separation of these tumors from a condition called pancreatic pseudocyst since cystic tumors are often misdiagnosed as pancreatic pseudocyst and inappropriately treated.

Cystic tumor of the pancreas include the following group of tumors:

Mucinous cystadenoma

Serous cystadenoma

Mucinous ductal ectasia

Critical will be an accurate diagnosis which will require examination of tissue, either from a biopsy or from a surgical procedure.  There is still good reason to be hopeful of a happy outcome, even with any surgery.