How Useful Are Clinical, Biochemical, and Cross-Sectional Imaging Features in Predicting Potentially Malignant or Malignant Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas? Results from a Single Institution Experience with 220 Surgically Treated Patients

Abstract

Most pancreatic pseudocysts can be accurately diagnosed preoperatively. In patients with suspected pancreatic cystic neoplasms, elevated serum CEA or carbohydrate antigen 19-9, cyst size > 3 cm, and presence of suspicious morphologic features on imaging are predictors of potentially malignant or malignant CLP. Patients with a high likelihood of a potentially malignant or malignant lesion based on these three factors should undergo operation without additional investigations.