Pancreatic Cyst Clinic

Most patients with pancreatic cysts have no symptoms. However the most common symptoms of pancreatic cysts are abdominal pain or discomfort.

Our providers will review your medical history and any imaging exams that have already been performed. We will also review your family history to learn if any of your other family members were diagnosed with cancers of the pancreas, liver, stomach, colon or gallbladder. This information helps us assess the risk of your pancreatic cyst and whether it is more likely to eventually become cancerous. Imaging technology is used to diagnose pancreatic cysts, including:

• MRI scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
• CT scan
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and Pancreas Cyst Biopsy
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Pathology and Molecular Analysis of Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

If you have a cyst that is benign and is not causing pain, it can be monitored over time. Some cysts may resolve without treatment. Regular imaging tests may be recommended to track any changes in or growth of your cyst. Certain inflammatory cysts causing symptoms or ones that grow can be drained by an endoscopic or radiologic procedure. Some types of pancreatic cysts require surgical removal if they pose a risk of cancer. We take a multidisciplinary approach to treating and managing pancreatic cysts, evaluating the best care plan for each patient.

Patients have access to multiple ongoing research studies on new diagnostic and treatment methods for pancreatic cysts. Our physicians are dedicated to research and actively pursue advancing care including both diagnostic tests and surgical care for patients with pancreatic cysts.

Most pancreatic cysts, especially small cysts, can be safely monitored with imaging and endoscopic ultrasound over time to assess for any changes. Our team will monitor your cyst with routine office visits, imaging, and endoscopic ultrasound (if needed). This approach allows us to watch for changes in the characteristics of your cyst that could indicate cancer. Our objective is to find these changes as early as possible and arrange for surgical removal of the cyst if necessary. Typically, patients undergoing surveillance will visit every 6-12 months for screening with regular CT or MRI imaging.

In addition to pancreatic cysts and new onset diabetes, patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer, or certain inherited genes (e.g. BRCA2, BRCA1, PALB2, ATM, CDK2NA (P16), Peutiz Jeghers Syndrome, Lynch Syndrome and Hereditary Pancreatitis) may be at increased risk for developing pancreatic cancer. After evaluation in the Multidisciplinary Pancreatic Cyst Clinic, some patients may be referred to the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Clinic, which offers patients and their families access to in depth analysis of family and genetic risk factors for pancreatic cancer.