mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas
Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas of the pancreas are a type of pancreatic mucinous tumor. It is considered the more malignant counterpart of a mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas.
Epidemiology
Like the more benign mucinous cystadenomas, these are found almost exclusively in females .
Radiographic features
General
It is typically seen as a cystic pancreatic lesion with cysts that are less numerous and larger in size (with an average diameter of ~10-12 cm) than typically observed with serous cystadenomas/cystadenocarcinomas. Its external surface is often smooth, and it is composed of unilocular or multilocular large (>2-4 cm) cysts with a thicker wall .
CT
On CT, they tend to appear as round to ovoid, externally smooth, near-water-density cystic lesions. Amorphous calcifications, septations and solid excrescences may be seen. Both mucinous cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas do not have central scars.
MRI
Signal characteristics of the cyst(s) can vary dependent on content. Mucin components exhibit high signal on T1 while calcific components are low signal on both T1 and T2 . Pure cystic components show low signal on T1 and high signal on T2.
Treatment and prognosis
While surgical resection is the standard mode of treatment, even the overtly malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinomas carry a far better prognosis than solid ductal adenocarcinomas .
Differential diagnosis
On ultrasound or CT consider
- serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: can sometimes be indistinguishable on imaging
See also
Siehe auch:
- zystische Pankreasläsionen
- muzinöses Zystadenom des Pankreas
- zystische Lebermetastasen
- seröses Zystadenokarzinom Pankreas
- muzinös zystische Neoplasien des Pankreas