Pancreatic serous cystadenoma

Pancreatic serous cystadenoma
Other namesSerous cystadenoma of the pancreas, serous microcystic adenoma
Micrograph showing a pancreatic serous cystadenoma. H&E stain.
SpecialtyGeneral surgery, gastroenterology
SymptomsUsually asymptomatic
Usual onset50–60 years of age
Risk factorsFemale gender
TreatmentSurgical resection (if symptomatic)
Deaths0.1%

Pancreatic serous cystadenoma is a benign tumour of the pancreas. It is usually solitary and found in the body or tail of the pancreas, and may be associated with von Hippel–Lindau syndrome.

In contrast to some of the other cyst-forming tumors of the pancreas (such as the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and the pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma), serous cystic neoplasms are almost always entirely benign. There are some exceptions; rare case reports have described isolated malignant serous cystadenocarcinomas. In addition, serous cystic neoplasms slowly grow, and if they grow large enough they can press on adjacent organs and cause symptoms.