[Cystic pancreatic tumors].

Cystic tumors of the Pancreas (CTP) are rare (less than 5% of all pancreatic tumors). We have limited our study to CTP of epithelial origin which represent 90% of all CTP. These can be divided into three subgroups: (1) Benign tumors with no risk of malignant progression (serous cystadenoma). (2) Tumors with risk of malignant degeneration (mucinous cystadenoma, intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMT), and pancreatic solid-cystic papillary tumor. (3) Malignant tumors (cystadenocarcinoma, IPMT with malignant degeneration). The latter two groups of CTP require radical resection while serous cystadenoma does not require surgical intervention unless symptomatic. The ability to determine preoperatively the exact nature of a CTP is of tremendous importance; cytologic examination and biochemical assays of cyst fluid aid greatly in this determination. Better understanding of the biologic evolution of CTP has increased the indications for surgical resection but the risks of postoperative morbidity and mortality in these patients must not be underestimated.