Mucinous cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma of pancreas

This paper reports 1 case of mucinous cystadenoma and 6 cases of cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The clinical manifestations in these series cases are characterized by upper abdominal cystic mass and pain, anorexia, loss of body weight, and absence of history of trauma or pancreatitis. Pathologically, the tumors are seen most frequently in the body and tail of the panereas. The cysts usually contain milky slimy fluid. Adenocarcinoma ceils and/or cancer tissue are easily found in the aspirated or biopsy material. The inner lining of the cysts is often covered with papillary projection. Benign and malignant areas coexist with definite areas of dysplastic transition. Cancer tissue frequently invades the nerves. These tumors are generally of low-grade malignanev with long survival of the patients.