Diagnosis and management strategy for cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

ObjectiveThis article aimed to propose a management strategy for cystic neoplasm of the pancreas based on the available evidence in the medical literature.MethodsA Medline search was undertaken to identify articles from 1988 to 2008 using the keywords ‘pancreatic cyst’, ‘pancreatic neoplasms’, and ‘cystic neoplasm of pancreas’. Additional papers were identified by a manual search of the references from the key articles.CommentsThe optimal management of cystic neoplasms of pancreas remains controversial and should be individualized based on the balance between the risk and benefit. Multiple factors such as patient's comorbidity, performance status, life expectancy, and surgical risk, should be weighed against the malignant potential of the cyst.