What Would Cause Cysts On Your Pancreas & Can It Be Cured?

Medical studies suggest that the actual cause of the condition is unknown, and most conditions are caused by a rare illness. ^1.

The primary cause of the non-cancerous pancreatic cysts is pancreatitis caused by inflammation due to excessive alcohol use or gallstone disease ^2.

Many pseudocysts will heal without treatment or will disappear when the inflammation of the pancreas subsides. ^{3. 4.}

Pancreatic cysts are water or mucus-filled structures that develop in the pancreas. This growth occurs in the abdomen between the stomach and the intestine. The majority of these cysts are not cancerous however the diagnosis can be challenging due to subtle symptoms.

Most cysts of the pancreas do not show symptoms however they block ducts and cause pain. A pseudocyst is not a true cyst and caused by the inflammation of the pancreas. Although it is not a cancerous condition, yet it can grow in size and can instigate pain.

Pancreatic cysts are asymptomatic and can develop severe to moderate symptoms. After a pancreatic attack, the symptoms can last for days to months. Some of the typical symptoms of pancreatic cyst include

• Chronic, continuous pain in the lower abdomen
• Vomiting and nausea
• Heaviness in the abdomen or abdomen feels bloated

Medical studies suggest that the actual cause of the condition is unknown, and most conditions are caused by a rare illness. This may include polycystic kidney disease or von Hippel-Lindau disease (an inherited disorder that causes a cluster of cysts inside the kidney). ^1.

The primary cause of the non-cancerous pancreatic cysts is pancreatitis caused by inflammation due to excessive alcohol use or gallstone disease. Pancreatic cysts are classified into two types

Pseudocysts- They are like cysts that form a collection of tissue and fluids but lack epithelial or endothelial cells. They aren’t closed and doesn’t have a lining of the epithelial cells. They aren’t cancerous, unlike true cysts. However, they need to be drained when there is pain.

True Cysts- They are non-inflammatory cysts which are lined by a special layer of cells in your pancreas. They are most commonly noticed in adults and rarely in children. Middle-aged women are typically affected by this condition. True cysts are often large and unilocular and are asymptomatic but produce abdominal pain. A small percentage of the cyst contains cancer and produces a large amount of mucus. The therapeutic strategy of these non-inflammatory cysts often depends on the patient’s health condition. ^2.

Most pancreatic cysts resolve on their own, without the need for treatment. About 30 to 50 percent of pseudocysts are expected to go away on their own when the inflammation subsides. However, when the inflammation is not treated nor monitored, it can become infected and turn worse. Certain symptoms of pancreatic cysts are recurrent, and the complications emerge. The cysts grow as large as 6 centimeters in size however it can be removed effectively through surgery.

Depending on the size and location of the cysts, your doctor may recommend the below

Open Surgery- Endoscopic drainage of the cyst using an endoscope. Open surgery is highly recommended when the surgery involves a massive rebuilding of arteries or veins.

Laparoscopy Surgery- Most patients with cystic pancreatic lesions undergo laparoscopic surgery to minimize some of the standard risk and risk associated with the standard open surgery.

Robot-Assisted Surgery- This can be performed on all types of pancreatic cysts which include Pseudocysts, Serous cystadenomas, Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms, and Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms. ^{3. 4.}

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