Advances in the diagnosis of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

A new combined criterion to better predict malignant lesions in patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasms

Objective:

Cystic lesions of the pancreas have been increasingly recognized. Some lesions exhibit benign behavior, while others have unequivocal malignant potential. Thus, accurate identification of malignancy in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) remains a major challenge. The aim of this study was to define a combined criterion to better predict malignant lesions in patients with PCNs.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 165 patients who underwent resection of PCNs from October 2011 to May 2017. The relationship among malignancy and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the presence of enhanced solid component on imaging was analyzed.

Results:

NLR before surgery in patients with malignant PCNs (2.81±2.14) was significantly higher than that in patients diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (1.90±0.69, P=0.013) or healthy volunteers (1.40±0.48; P<0.001). Serum CA19-9 ≥39 U/mL, NLR >1.976 and presence of enhanced solid component were independent predictors of PCN malignancy. A combined criterion meeting any two or more of the three elements including CA19-9 ≥39 U/mL, NLR >1.976, and presence of enhanced solid component on computed tomography imaging is an indicator with a high positive predictive value of 80.5% and a high negative predictive value of 87.9%, and thus, represents a highly accurate test (86.1%).

Conclusions:

The new combined criterion is an effective predictor of tumor malignancy in patients with PCNs.

Advantage of endoscopic-ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration associated to Sendai clinical guidelines in detecting the malignant risk in patients with undetermined pancreatic cysts: Long-term follow-up

Aims: Contradictory information exists on whether different clinical guidelines are effective in detecting the malignant risk in patients with pancreatic cysts. We have retrospectively evaluated the accuracy and the long-term outcome in patients with pancreatic cysts with a diameter ≥ 2 cm when indication for surgery was established by clinical evaluation of their malignant risk according to Sendai Clinical Guidelines associated to endoscopic-ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration. Material and Methods: Patients with pancreatic cysts with a diameter ≥2 cm were evaluated for their potential malignant risk by endoscopic-ultrasound-fine-needle aspiration associated to the clinical evaluation by Sendai Clinical Guidelines. Long-term outcome and comparison in patients survival as well as the accuracy in detecting malignancies were evaluated with the combined clinical and endoscopic evaluation. Results: Two hundred eighteen patients with pancreatic cysts were observed during a nine-year period of the study and 74 of them (33.9%) presenting with a pancreatic cyst ≥2 cm were eligible for the study. Fourteen malignant neoplasms (18.9%) were detected. The accuracy in detecting malignancy of combined clinical and endoscopic evaluation was very high (0.99). The five-year survival rates for patients who underwent surgery with benign and malignant pancreatic cysts and for patients in observational follow-up were similar (70% and 85%). The cohort of patients with malignant pancreatic cysts with ductal adenocarcinoma showed a five-year survival rate of 41%. Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration associated to Sendai clinical guidelines showed a high accuracy in detecting malignant risk in patients with pancreatic cysts with a diameter ≥ 2 cm. allowing appropriate selection for surgical treatment with satisfactory long-term survival.

Adult pancreatic hemangioma in pregnancy--concerns and considerations of a rare case

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic tumors in pregnancy are rare but clinically challenging. Careful diagnostic workup, including appropriate imaging examinations, should be performed to evaluate surgery indications and timing . In the present case a diagnosis of an adult pancreatic hemangioma was made. We were not able to identify a similar case in the very sparse literature on this rare disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 30-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with a large pancreatic tumor having a cystic pattern based on imaging. Although the preoperative diagnosis was uncertain, patient preference and clinical symptoms and signs suggested surgery. Open distal pancreatic resection including splenectomy was performed, and complete resection of the large cystic tumor was successfully achieved, with no postoperative complications. Although a solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) was suspected, specimen morphology, including immunohistochemistry, supported the diagnosis of an adult benign pancreatic hemangioma.

CONCLUSION

Although mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) and adenocarcinoma are the most common pancreatic tumors during pregnancy, various other malignant and benign lesions can be encountered. This report adds to the very small number of pancreatic hemangiomas reported in the literature and involves the first patient diagnosed with this rare condition during pregnancy. Careful clinical considerations regarding diagnostic workup and treatments are required to ensure that mother and child receive the best possible care.

Pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma with serum CA 19-9 over 1,000,000 U/mL: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms has become more accurate recently. In some cases, however, doubt remains regarding the lesion's malignant potential. CA 19-9 has long been identified as a reliable biomarker in differentiating pancreatic benign and malignant lesions, especially in non-jaundiced patients.

CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION

We report a case of a young female who presented with a mucinous lesion in the tail of the pancreas and a serum CA 19-9 over 1,000,000 U/mL. She was taken to surgery and had a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Pathology reports showed only a mucinous cystadenoma. After 1 year of follow-up, her serum CA 19-9 was normal. Following that, the work-up in these lesions, the role of the biomarker in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions is discussed.