Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of Pancreas - USG and CT Evaluation - A Case Report

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas comprise a pathologically heterogeneous group of tumours with many shared clinical features. Although relatively uncommon, they have a very important place within the surgical pathology of the pancreas because of their high cure rate and their potential (and not infrequent) confusion with the far more common pancreatic pseudocysts. Their exact incidence is unknown, but it is frequently quoted that they constitute about 10 % of all cystic lesions of the pancreas.1 The cystic pancreatic lesions are pathologically classified as - cystic teratoma, common cystic pancreatic neoplasms (serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystic neoplasm, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), pseudocyst, rare cystic pancreatic neoplasms (solid pseudopapillary tumour, acinar cell cystadenocarcinoma, lymphangioma, haemangioma, paraganglioma), sarcoma, true epithelial cysts (associated with Von Hippel–Lindau disease, autosomal - dominant polycystic kidney disease, and cystic fibrosis), metastasis, solid pancreatic lesions with cystic degeneration (pancreatic adenocarcinoma, cystic islet cell tumour (insulinoma, glucagonoma, gastrinoma).2 Mucinous cystadenoma of pancreas are more commonly seen in middle‑aged females as compared with males.[5,6] Cystadenomas of the pancreas are low‑grade tumours and they constitute about 10 % of pancreatic cysts.3 Their most common location is the body and tail, with the head being a less common site.4 These tumours are more commonly seen in the middle of the pancreas.

Rare Pancreatic Tumors

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor, and cystic pancreatic neoplasms are the common pancreatic tumors most radiologists are familiar with. In this article we review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and radiology of rare pancreatic neoplasms. While the imaging features are usually nonspecific and diagnosis is based on pathology, the radiology along with patient demographics, history, and laboratory parameters can often help indicate the diagnosis of an uncommon pancreatic neoplasm and guide appropriate management in these cases.