Korean J Fam Pract.  2021 Jun;11(3):157-163. 10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.3.157.

Recent Strategies for Differentiation and Management of Incidental Pancreatic Cystic Lesions

• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2516771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.3.157

Abstract

As pancreatic cysts are being identified with growing frequency due to the escalating use of cross-sectional imaging, optimal surveillance for patients with pancreatic cystic lesions is becoming an increasingly common clinical problem. To select an appropriate management strategy, accurate cyst categorization and identification of malignant or high-risk lesions is important. Several guidelines have been published to address these issues, and there is an overall remarkable similarity between various guidelines. However, there are also important and notable differences in details such as proper evaluation methods, indications for surgical resection, and surveillance policies. This article will review the clinical features of pancreatic cystic lesions and the differences of management and follow–up strategies of pancreatic cystic neoplasms as depicted in recently published international guidelines. Reviewing the differences may assist practicing clinicians to navigate these guidelines with the goal of providing better care for patients with cystic neoplasms even though there has not been a large, sufficiently powered study that compares these guidelines in a well-defined patient population.

Keyword

Pancreatic Cysts; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Practice Guidelines; Surveillance