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Abstract

Serous Cystadenomas Follow a Benign and Asymptomatic Course and Do Not Present a Significant Size Change During Follow-Up

VOLUME 67 - NUMBER 6 / November - December (Brief Communication)

Mario César Pelaez-Luna, School of Medicine, Research Division, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City; Pancreas Clinic, Gastroenterology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, México
Carlos Moctezuma-Velázquez, Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
Jorge Hernández-Calleros, Pancreas Clinic, Gastroenterology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
Luis Federico Uscanga-Domínguez, Pancreas Clinic, Gastroenterology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

Background: Serous cystadenoma is a benign pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Conservative management is favored. We studied the clinical characteristics and course of serous cystadenoma in patients undergoing surgery or conservative management only at an academic referral center. Methods: Patients presenting with serous cystadenoma in the years 2000-2013 were selected. Hospital records were evaluated for patient and serous cystadenoma characteristics. Results: A total of 22 patients with serous cystadenoma were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 years and 82% were women. Diagnosis was incidental in 59%, and 18% presented with unspecific abdominal pain, 14% unexplained weight loss, 4.5% gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms, and 4.5% cholangitis. Location was pancreas body 36%, head 32%, tail 23%, and uncinate 9%. Mean serous cystadenoma diameter at diagnosis was 37 ± 23 mm. After diagnosis five patients underwent surgery. Initial size was similar between surgical and follow-up groups (p = 0.9). Four cases were lost to follow-up; 13 continued conservative management with a mean follow-up time of 54 ± 27 months. The initial and last serous cystadenoma size in the follow-up group remained similar (p = 0.9). Six cases presented significant tumor growth during follow-up (p > 0.05). All patients remained asymptomatic throughout follow-up. No malignancy or serous cystadenoma-related death occurred. Conclusions: Size change of serous cystadenoma was minimal and patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. Surgery should be limited to symptomatic and selected cases.

Keywords: Serous cystadenoma. Pancreas cyst. Pancreas neoplasm. Cystic neoplasm. Pancreas surgery.

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