[Cystic tumors of the pancreas: diagnosis, management and results]

Pancreatic cystic tumours are rare and less frequent than other pancreatic tumours. In recent decades, these tumours are being diagnosed with increasing frequency due to the extensive availability of, and improvement in, modern imaging techniques and it is often possible not only to differentiate them preoperatively from other cystic pancreatic disorders but also from one another. Pancreatic cystic tumours comprise a variety of neoplasms with a wide range of malignant potential: serous cystic tumours are benign, whereas mucinous cystic tumours, and intraductal papillary mucinous tumours are considered premalignant, while solid pseudopapillary tumours have a non-aggressive behaviour in the vast majority of cases. Most patients have no symptoms; and when clinical signs are present, they never help us to identify the type of pathology. Serous cystic neoplasms usually do not mandate resection unless the lesion is symptomatic. Mucinous cystic neoplasms and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms have a premalignant or malignant tendency, and therefore need to be managed aggressively by pancreatic resection. Their prognosis is excellent in the absence of invasive disease, but the presence of invasive malignancy is associated with a poor prognosis. This review addresses the symptoms, diagnosis, management and prognosis of this group of tumours.