Pancreatic neoplasms are sacs of fluid that can be benign or malignant. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and a hard area in the upper abdomen. Rupture of the cyst or malignancy can pose a serious health threat and may require surgery. Causes of pancreatic cysts include heavy alcohol use, gallstones, and physical trauma. Regular monitoring is recommended for benign cysts, while surgery is often used to treat malignant or potentially ruptured cysts.
Also known as pancreatic cysts, pancreatic neoplasms are unusual sacs of fluid that develop in or on the pancreas. In many cases, pancreatic neoplasms are benign and do not pose a serious health threat. However, the possibility of a malignant tumor exists, especially if the cyst shows continuous growth in a relatively short period of time.
Many people with pancreatic malignancies never show any outward signs of this type of cyst. There are some signs, however, that indicate the possibility that a malignancy is developing. Among these potential signs is the onset of pain in the abdomen that always seems to linger. There may also be a hard area in the upper abdomen, near the location of the pancreas. Some people find that they feel nauseous on a regular basis, sometimes for no apparent reason. In some situations, there may also be some regurgitation.
The presence of a pancreatic neoplasm usually does not pose a serious threat to health. However, there are two situations where the cyst can create a lot of problems for the individual. It is dealing with a rupture of the cyst itself. When a pancreatic pseudocyst ruptures, the trapped fluid leaks into the surrounding area. This can be problematic, as the fluid contains enzymes that aid in digestion. These enzymes can cause a great deal of damage to any blood vessel in the immediate area, leading to massive bleeding in the abdomen.
A second scenario in which pancreatic neoplasm poses a danger is when the cyst is found to be malignant. The neoplasm can be pancreatic cancer in the early stages and be self-sufficient. However, there is also the possibility that the cancer has already begun to metastasize, spreading the cancer cells to surrounding organs and other parts of the body. When cancer is suspected, immediate removal of the cyst is the usual approach.
There is some difference of opinion about what can cause pancreatic cancer to develop. Heavy alcohol use has been linked to a predilection for developing cysts in and on the pancreas. People who are prone to developing gallstones are also more likely to develop a pancreatic cyst. Physical trauma, such as a direct blow to the abdomen during an accident, can also sometimes trigger the creation of cysts in and on the pancreas.
While a benign pancreatic neoplasm that is not causing any discomfort is likely to receive no treatment other than regular monitoring, cysts that show signs of possible rupture or any degree of malignancy are often treated with the use of surgery. Pancreas surgery is a relatively simple process, especially if the cysts are located on the pancreas rather than in the organ walls. When surgery is used to correct the situation, the risk of recurrence is extremely low.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
