Pancreatic Cysts (cont.)
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cysts?
The symptoms of pancreatic cysts depend on their size and location. Small
(less than two cm) cysts usually cause no symptoms. Large pancreatic cysts can
cause abdominal pain and back
pain presumably by putting pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves. Large
cysts in the head of the pancreas also may cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin
and eyes with darkening of urine
color) due to obstruction of the common duct. Obstruction causes bile to back up
and forces
bilirubin (the chemical that
produces jaundice) back into
the bloodstream.
On rare occasions, acute
pancreatitis can cause the formation of large pseudocysts that can compress
the stomach or the duodenum leading to obstruction to flow within the
intestines, abdominal pain and vomiting. These cysts also may become infected
and lead to fever, chills,
and sepsis.
What are the different causes and types of
pancreatic cysts?
There are two major types of pancreatic cysts; inflammatory cysts and
noninflammatory cysts. Inflammatory cysts are benign, whereas noninflammatory
cysts can be benign, precancerous, or cancerous.
Inflammatory cysts
Most of the inflammatory cysts of the pancreas are pancreatic pseudocysts.
Pseudocysts of the pancreas result from pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas). The common causes of pancreatitis include
alcoholism,
gallstones,
trauma, or surgery. The
fluid inside the pseudocysts represents liquefied dead pancreatic tissue, cells
of inflammation, and a high concentration of digestive enzymes (for example,
amylase). Most pseudocysts caused by acute pancreatitis resolve spontaneously
(without treatment) within several weeks. Pseudocysts that need treatment are
those that persist beyond six weeks and are causing symptoms such as pain,
obstruction of the stomach or duodenum, or become infected.
Next: Non-inflammatory cysts »
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